Right now across Utah, animal shelters are overwhelmed. Dogs and cats are being surrendered in record numbers—not because their families don’t love them, but because rising rent, food prices, and medical bills have left many with no other option. Some shelters are so overcrowded that healthy, adoptable animals are being turned away—or worse.

This isn’t just an animal welfare crisis. It’s a humanitarian one.

Utah families facing eviction, medical emergencies, or job loss are being forced to make heartbreaking decisions. Meanwhile, shelters are pleading for help as their staff and volunteers struggle to care for double or triple the number of animals they’re equipped to handle.

Local shelters have sounded the alarm. They need emergency funding to expand capacity, provide medical care, and offer pet food banks or temporary boarding for families in crisis. With just a small amount of funding, we can prevent thousands of unnecessary surrenders and keep pets where they belong: with the people who love them. 

We’re calling on Utah lawmakers, county leaders, and the governor’s office to allocate emergency funds to support shelters and families during this crisis. States like California and Colorado have stepped up with temporary grants and pet retention programs. Utah can—and must—do the same.

We can’t afford to wait until shelters are forced to euthanize due to lack of space. We need compassionate, immediate action to protect Utah’s pets and the people who love them.

Sign this petition to demand emergency shelter funding and pet retention aid now. Together, we can ease the burden on shelters and keep pets with their families—where they’re safe, loved, and home.