SafeKeep Program

The SafeKeep Program has been temporarily suspended. We look foward to being able to resume this important program when the shelter's capacity for care allows. If you are struggling to keep your pet, please take a look at our resources pages.

The Office of Animal Services's Safekeep program provides temporary care of owned pets while their owners are unable to care for their pet(s) due to illness, homelessness, or other emergencies. We offer this service as a last resort, when other options such as care with a friend or family member have been exhausted.

Our program is designed to provide short term housing for eligible pets with the goal of reuniting you with your pet! Space in the program is limited, and your pet must meet medical and behavioral criteria to be considered for foster placement.

Before you fill out the application, please consider the following:
Have you reached out to family/friends to take care of your pet(s)?
Established that your need for animal care is temporary?

Before you complete the SafeKeep application, be sure your answer is "yes" to all of the following statements:

Yes, I am working with a Montgomery County social worker, case manager, or allied agency, or will be able to establish a relationship with one while my animal is in the care of OAS.
Yes, I or my case manager am available for a weekly check-in call with the OAS.
Yes, I plan to take my pet home within thirty (30) days.
Yes, my pet is used to living indoors.
Yes, my pet is overall healthy and/or currently taking medicine that maintains their health.
Yes, my pet is friendly towards strangers.
Yes, I am willing to have my pet spayed or neutered.

Owner Eligibility for SafeKeep Program

The owner must have an established relationship with a Montgomery County social worker, case manager, or allied agency. If the owner does not have an established relationship, one must be established while the animal is in the care of OAS.
The owner must have the ability to regularly communicate with their social worker, case manager, or allied agency.
To remain eligible for the program, the owner must remain in contact with OAS while the animal is part of the SafeKeep Program. OAS staff will contact the owner every other week to verify continued enrollment or the termination of enrollment for reunification. Owners, or their representative, are required to be responsive to communications from OAS.
Due to the limits of space and resources, length of stay is limited to a maximum of thirty (30) days.

Pet Eligibility

All species of pets are eligible for the SafeKeep program.
- Dogs with a bite history are not eligible for SafeKeep.
- Dogs who are aggressive to people and/or aggressive to other dogs and may pose a safety risk to staff are not eligible for SafeKeep.
All dogs must undergo a behavior evaluation to qualify for foster placement.
- Dogs with aggression towards other animals will be considered on a case by case basis.
- Dogs with aggression towards people will not be considered.
Any information regarding behavior concerns must be disclosed to the OAS. If the pet has been seen by a trainer or behaviorist, OAS will request the contact information and access to the records to help ensure safety of both staff and animals.
Pets must successfully complete a full intake with an OAS staff member, including a heartworm or FELV/FIV test if not already up to date on required vaccinations.
OAS requires all cats and dogs to be altered in the SafeKeep Program. If the pet is not altered, OAS will perform the spay/neuter procedure at the shelter.
Participation in the SafeKeep program is dependent on available space. The pet may spend a portion of their stay at the MCASAC facility, be placed into an approved foster home, or a partner boarding facility.