Immigrant families, especially those whose members have been detained or deported, have suffered greatly during the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota. But Operation Metro Surge’s collateral damage goes beyond affected families — to their beloved pets.
In neighborhoods like St. Paul’s Frogtown, among the state’s oldest immigrant communities, animal rescue organizations have seen a surge in the number of pets needing care, left behind when their humans were suddenly detained.
“We started noticing an increase in stray and abandoned animals, dogs running loose with leashes and collars, in good condition, but no one claiming them, starting this September,” Kerry D’Amato, executive director of Pet Haven in St. Paul, told Sahan Journal. “It was unusual. We’d post on social media, expecting to find owners, but we weren’t. Then we noticed more abandoned animals in apartments and outside. It got really heavy in January.”
As ICE activity intensified, neighbors and friends of those targeted began bringing animals to Pet Haven, sometimes gathering several pets from multiple households.
“We’re probably double the amount of animals we’re bringing in, easily,” D’Amato said. “We’re a small organization, and last year we brought in about 1,200 animals. Right now, we have about 360 in care — more than the largest shelter in the state. And in January, we hit a record month with 124 adoptions.”
The pet-fostering network has responded with fervor, but Pet Haven still needs more foster families. “People who haven’t fostered in a year or two are coming forward, asking how they can help,” D’Amato said. “We’re seeing a much higher volume of new foster applications than ever before.”
Melissa Behrens, a volunteer with Pet Haven, currently has three animals in foster care.
“It’s a big team effort. It was always in the back of our mind as a rescue and as pet lovers,” she said. “ICE doesn’t have a social work department. There’s nobody to come and get those animals. The people bringing them in are neighbors, family, friends, those who know the house is now empty, but remember there’s an animal there.”
Currently, Behrens is trying to help a woman from Elk River who was detained and sent to Texas, leaving behind two German shepherds. She’s coming back soon and will search for her dogs. “We’re floating their picture around with our partners,” Behrens said. “Getting them back to the owner is the right thing.”
In recent weeks, the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley has documented self-reported incidents of seven pets surrendered due to ICE activity. That number is likely an underrepresentation, said Graham Brayshaw, the society’s chief medical officer.
“It’s not a huge number out of the thousand animals we help every month, but it’s still seven individual animal lives impacted,” Brayshaw said. “In different times, these animals would still be happy in their homes.”
The agency is also seeing fewer pet vaccine and clinic appointments, and an increase in no-shows for veterinary appointments. The no-show rate for appointments, usually about 20%, is now closer to 40%, Brayshaw estimates.
“People have also been more reluctant to share their personal information, for understandable reasons,” he said. “It’s been more difficult to get the information we need to do the work we’re trying to do.
“For someone who doesn’t feel comfortable coming to us, they may need a third party to help bring their animal to us, and we can call them on the phone to get ahold of them afterwards,” he said. “It might not be our normal day-to-day, but we make it work in that situation.”
Pet food delivery offers a lifeline
As many immigrant families shelter in place, afraid to leave their homes, even for essential supplies, rescue organizations have stepped up to deliver pet food and basic supplies. Pet Haven and Bond Between have become priceless resources for hundreds of households.
“We realized people weren’t leaving their homes, weren’t working, were losing income, and having to make difficult choices between feeding themselves and feeding their pets,” D’Amato said. “We decided we needed to step up and be pet food-specific.”
On Jan. 28, Pet Haven launched a pet food delivery program. Within hours, the response was overwhelming.
“I’ve personally seen five abductions [of immigrants by federal agents],” D’Amato said. “One of them had a dog in the car. It just hits home, right? When you see something like that, it changes your perspective on things.”
“Thursday morning [Jan. 29], our phone line started blowing up,” she said. “We have an encrypted form that you can fill out for help. By yesterday [Feb. 4], we had delivered to 112 families and helped another 37 walking through our door, specifically affected by ICE.”
Pet Haven continues to collect pet food or supplies at its St. Paul location. Online donations are accepted through its website. Chewy and Amazon wish lists make it easy for donors to send food directly to the rescue.
“We’re here to support for as long as we can. As long as we get the donations, we’ll keep rolling it,” D’Amato said. “We have disaster relief protocols, nationally and locally, and they center around humans, and there’s absolutely nothing for pets.”
The Bond Between, another local foster rescue, offers free emergency pet food kits for anyone affected by the immigration enforcement surge. It maintains a steady supply of emergency pet food and basic supplies at its Minneapolis pet food shelf location during open hours. No documentation is required to get pet food.
If you and your pet are separated:
For those worried about being separated from their pets, the Bond Between recommends a preparedness plan. They encourage pet guardians to:
- Identify a trusted friend, family member or neighbor who could temporarily care for your pet if something unexpected happens.
- Share important information with that person in advance, including feeding routines, veterinary needs and emergency contacts.
- Let potential rescuers know about local animal welfare resources, including The Bond Between, in case they need additional help or need to pursue surrender.
“We won’t say no. We’ll take them and find a place at Pet Haven,” Behrens said. “All of our fosters have hearts of gold. The animals are well cared for and loved.”
Minnesota’s rescue organizations say they’ll continue to help pets who lose the people who love them to detention or deportation.
“By helping their pets, we are helping the people,” D’Amato said. “There’s nothing worse than seeing something you love starve because you can’t afford to feed it. We’re here to help.”
If you or someone you know needs help with pet food or supplies:
- Visit Pet Haven’s website or location in St. Paul for donations, supplies and foster opportunities.
- Go to The Bond Between Pet Food Shelf in Minneapolis during open hours for free emergency pet food kits.
To donate:
- Pet Haven accepts donations in person and online, including Chewy and Amazon wish lists.
- Bond Between welcomes donations to maintain their emergency pet food supply.
If you are searching for your pet:
The Animal Humane Society has a free helpline — 952-HELP-PET — and a list of places to search for your pet.
Behrens recommends checking with PUPS (Pets Under Police Security) if there is one in your municipality, and with Minneapolis and St. Paul Animal Control agencies. Pet owners can also share information on social media.
