But a new Twin Ports non-profit is providing animals a temporary home, so their owners can get their lives back on track.

The Humane Society of Douglas County can be a place to find a new pet, but for some, it’s a place to say goodbye to one they can no longer care for.

“It’s usually very emotional and nobody wants to do it. But we’re just happy there’s a place to bring them,” said Cheri Fitch, Event and Finance Coordinator for the Humane Society of Douglas County.

According to Fitch, once an owner surrenders their pet, it’s final, the society doesn’t have a way to hold an animal for a few weeks or months.

“A lot of times these animals are all these people have,” said Lisa Lepak, Foster Coordinator for Puppa’s Pals.

She and her team are offering pets a foster home while their owners experience a crisis.

Lepak came up with the idea last year during the Greenwood fire.

Now, they’re expanding to help in all situations, including a hospital stay, an abusive home, or incarceration.

“One of our board members is a public defender and she has had clients reach out to her upset as they’re going into the system because there’s nobody at home to take care of their pets,” said Lepak.

One of those clients has a pet named Puppa.

Along with finding foster homes, Lepak plans to foster animals herself.

And at Lepak’s house, foster pets won’t be lonely for human or K9 friendship.

She’s got four dogs and a hedgehog of her own.

And she’s more than happy to welcome a new temporary addition to her pack.

And the benefits of having a pet, whether it’s foster or forever seems to be a two-way street.

“I wake up every day and I get to hang out with some of the goofiest, craziest, most obnoxious in the best way animals,” said Lepak.

The foster service is free and Puppa’s Pals is taking donations.