California’s animal shelters are in crisis. Across the state, dogs, cats, and other animals are being surrendered at record rates—not because their families don’t love them, but because they simply can’t afford to keep them.

Skyrocketing housing costs, inflation, and the end of pandemic aid programs have forced thousands of Californians to make heartbreaking choices. In many cases, that means giving up a beloved pet just to stay afloat. Shelters, already overwhelmed and underfunded, are now at or beyond capacity. Staff are exhausted, adoption rates can’t keep up, and in some places, euthanasia is rising again after years of progress.

This isn’t just a crisis for animals. It’s a moral emergency for our communities. Families should not have to choose between putting food on the table and keeping their dog or cat. Animals who’ve done nothing wrong should not pay the price for an affordability crisis.

We are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom, state legislators, and local governments to step in immediately with emergency funding for California’s public and nonprofit shelters. This funding should support:

• Crisis housing and temporary foster programs to reduce shelter overcrowding
• Free or low-cost vet care and pet food for low-income families
• Resources to keep pets and people together, especially during financial hardship

We also urge local governments to lift arbitrary pet limits, waive surrender fees, and invest in spay/neuter programs to reduce future strain.

Our shelters—and the people and animals who depend on them—can’t wait. With support, we can turn this around. Without it, the heartbreak will only grow. Sign this petition if you believe that no one should lose a pet because they’re poor—and no animal should lose their life because a shelter ran out of space.