Pet Retention Services

Helping Pets AND the People Who Love Them

Pets are family! No one should have to lose a beloved family member during times of crisis or hardship. That is why the Kentucky Humane Society offers support for the community through Pet Retention Services (PRS).

Pet retention counselors are available to assist you six days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Please note: Our Pet Retention Services staff are not veterinarians and cannot give medical advice.

We are here to help you with the challenges that might cause you to give up your pet. Please see the menu below for information on programs offered and how to reach out:

Pet Injury or Illness

KHS has a limited capacity to assist pet guardians who are unable to afford treatment for a pet’s injury or illness. Please review the qualifications to apply. The application will require you to upload records from your pet’s diagnostics and an estimate for the cost of treatment.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• You must be the legal guardian of the dog/cat
• Live in Louisville or within 30 minutes of Louisville
• You’ve received a definitive and current diagnosis, along with a treatment plan from a veterinarian.
**Definitive means that all diagnostics were completed; no further diagnostics are needed. Diagnostics are tests or evaluations used to understand the pet’s health issue (physical exam, x-ray, ultrasound, bloodwork, urine testing, fecal testing, biopsy, culture, etc). By current we mean that diagnostics were completed and a diagnosis given by a veterinarian within the last 30 days
• Your pet’s injury/illness is urgent and in need of immediate treatment
• You are working with a KHS partner veterinary clinic/hospital

CANNOT ASSIST with:
• Exam/new patient fees
• Diagnostics/tests
• Treatments where the amount of assistance is over $3,000
• The pet has already completed treatment
• Chronic illnesses

If your situation meets the qualifications above, click here to submit a Veterinary Grant Application.

Pet Food and Supplies

KHS is grateful to assist pet guardians with supplemental dog food and cat food once a month. When available, we will also distribute puppy pads and cat litter. Because we offer supplemental food, we cannot be your main or only source of pet food. Pet Food Bank clients must submit a Contact Form each month. Please note that the pet food bank is only available to pet guardians in Louisville or within 30 minutes of Louisville.

Click here to submit a PRS Contact Form and select “Pet Food” as the type of assistance you need.

Cost of Spay/Neuter and/or Vaccinations

KHS offers low-cost spay/neuter and vaccinations through our S.N.I.P. Clinic and CARE-a-van. If you need help paying for these services, our Pet Retention Services team can assist those who qualify with financial aid.

Click here to submit a PRS Contact Form and select “Vet Care – Spay/Neuter and/or Vaccination” as the type of assistance you need.

Behavior Challenges

KHS is happy to provide support to pet guardians struggling with a pet’s behavior.
• If you need assistance with typical behavior issues such as crate training, litterbox avoidance/housetraining and basic manners, our Pet Retention counselors can provide free advice over the phone.
• If you need assistance with a dog’s more severe behavior issues such as separation anxiety or reactivity (growling, baring teeth, snapping), we can sometimes assist with financial aid for private training through KHS’s Community Behavior Department.
• If you need assistance purchasing supplies to help manage pet behavior, like crates or gates, we can help.

In order to receive financial aid for items or services, you must live within 30 minutes of Louisville, Kentucky. Click here to submit a PRS Contact Form and select “Behavior” as the type of assistance you need.

Pet-Friendly Housing

KHS can provide support to pet guardians struggling with pet-friendly housing in several ways:
• Check out this resource guide on how to find pet-friendly housing.
• If you need information on how to begin the process of making a pet an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), we can counsel you on next steps.
• If you’re struggling with a pet deposit, we can provide financial aid to those who qualify.
• Need support speaking with a landlord regarding pet-related issues? We can help.

Click here to submit a PRS Contact Form and select “Housing” as the type of assistance you need.

Flea Infestation

KHS can assist pet guardians experiencing flea infestations. Please note that this assistance is only available to pet guardians in Louisville or within 30 minutes of Louisville. Click here to submit a PRS Contact Form and select “Vet Care – My Pet Has Fleas” as the type of assistance you need.

End-of-Life Humane Euthanasia

KHS can assist pet guardians seeking end-of-life euthanasia for their pet. Please note that financial aid for end-of-life euthanasia is only available to pet owners in Louisville or within 30 minutes of Louisville. Click here to submit a PRS Contact Form and select “Vet Care – End of Life Care” as the type of assistance you need

We’re happy to provide these additional resources:

Behavior Support

The Kentucky Humane Society wants to help strengthen the bond between you and your pets through education and positive training. Our Pet Retention Counselors are happy to provide knowledge and advice on your pet’s behavior issues. You can also access some basic information on normal dog and cat behavior through the handouts linked below.

Dog Behavior Resources
- KHS offers reasonably priced, positive reinforcement behavior classes and private training for dogs. Click here to learn more.
Cat Behavior Resources

Safe Haven for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Since 2001, KHS has partnered with The Center for Women & Families to provide safe, anonymous fostering of dogs and cats whose owners are escaping domestic violence or sexual abuse. This program is offered through the Center for Women and Families. Only those who are current residents at the Center for Women and Families’ shelter may apply through their case manager. Click here to learn more.

Help for Unowned Cats

Do you have community, unowned cats (feral cats) in your neighborhood? Alley Cat Advocates (ACA) is Louisville’s leader in protecting and spaying/neutering these cats. Check out their website or give them a call at 502-634-8777.

Thank You

Our Pet Retention Services are generously supported by the Gauntt Foundation, The Grey Muzzle Organization and other generous supporters.