SANDPOINT — TLC, or Temporary Loving Care, is a program at Better Together Animal Alliance that helps keep pets like Meepers with their owners.

Meepers the cat was adopted eight years ago from BTAA by Christy, his current owner. Recently she faced housing challenges that were going to force her to surrender Meepers. But thanks to the alliance along with supporters, the TLC program is able to offer free pet boarding to Meepers and others like himself. The alliance cared for Meepers for several weeks while his owner found housing. 

"I came to you thinking that I was having to surrender Meepers, thinking that I wouldn't be able to see him again,” Meepers' owner told BTAA. “Thank you doesn't come close to expressing how I feel about the wonderful care you've provided Meepers."

Pets who are part of BTAA’s TLC program receive vital care when needed, including vaccinations and spaying/neutering at no cost, BTAA officials said on their website. 

The TLC program was originally developed in partnership with Bonner General Health, Andrea Nagel, BTAA’s director of storytelling and partnerships, said. 

“They saw a trend that many patients in need of inpatient behavioral health were delaying or not seeking treatment because they didn't have anyone to care for their pets," Nagel said. “We quickly extended the program to those in need of any inpatient care, due to surgeries or other circumstances, then to those experiencing domestic abuse survivors who needed pet care in order to leave unsafe living situations, and now we also offer it to those in between housing, which is Christy's story.”

The program is funded fully through donations and is currently running very low on funds for this program right now, she said.

“Last year we supported 35 pets through TLC, including Meepers, and the need for temporary pet care continues to grow as people face housing issues and health conditions,” she said. “This program is invaluable as many of these families might otherwise be permanently separated due to temporary situations. This way, pet parents can ensure their pets are safe and cared for until they can be reunited.”

Information: bettertogetheranimalalliance.org