Since the Trump administration's escalated immigration crackdown, animal shelters across the country have been facing a heartbreaking side effect: beloved pets left behind when their owners are detained or deported.

In Los Angeles County alone, at least 28 dogs and cats have entered shelters since June 10 because their families were caught in immigration raids. Similar stories are playing out in New York, Denver, Austin, and beyond. Animal welfare workers are fielding urgent calls to take in pets from frightened neighbors, landlords, and relatives — often with only hours to act before an animal is left alone in an empty home.

The impact on shelters is devastating. Many are already over capacity, with adoption rates slowing and intake restrictions in place. Large dogs and older cats are especially at risk, but all animals suffer in the stressful, noisy shelter environment. Some may never make it out alive. And for the families forced to leave them, the grief is immeasurable — children crying as they hand over a dog, parents begging rescuers to send updates.

This is not an unavoidable tragedy. If the federal government chooses to ramp up deportations, it must also take responsibility for the animals affected. That means a federally funded, nationwide safety net to ensure no pet is abandoned due to immigration enforcement. Such a program must include:

• Emergency foster and adoption networks coordinated with shelters and rescues.
• Vouchers for veterinary care and boarding during family separation.
• Affordable, safe transport options so pets can be reunited with owners when possible.
• Multilingual public outreach so families can plan for pet care before a crisis.

Pets are not incidental casualties of immigration policy — they are family members. When the Trump administration orders mass deportations, it’s not just people who are torn from their homes, but animals too.

We call on Congress, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Agriculture to immediately establish and fund a national program to protect these pets. Lives are at stake — both the animals’ and the people who love them.

Sign now to tell the government: No pet should be abandoned because of immigration policy.