Across Arkansas, animal shelters are past capacity — and the crisis is only getting worse.

Families struggling with the cost of living are being forced to make heartbreaking decisions: choosing between feeding their children or their pets. Inflation, housing instability, and rising vet bills have left many Arkansans with no option but to surrender beloved animals. And our shelters, already overrun, are collapsing under the weight of this crisis.

Many of these shelters are run on shoestring budgets, relying on volunteers and donations. But right now, that’s not enough. Staff are working around the clock. Dogs and cats are sleeping in hallways. Euthanasia is quietly returning as a last resort — not because anyone wants that, but because there’s simply nowhere for these animals to go.

This is not just a shelter issue — it’s a community emergency. Without intervention, thousands of animals will be lost. But there is a way forward.

We’re calling on Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas General Assembly to allocate emergency funding to help shelters expand capacity and support pet retention programs. This includes assistance for vet care, temporary foster support, and food pantries that help keep animals with their families instead of in cages.

Arkansans love their pets — and we believe our state government should step up to keep families together and protect the most vulnerable.

Please sign this petition to demand swift action. Every day of delay means more animals suffer. We can fix this — but only if we act now.