When Michael Rios lost his home in the Jan. 22 flood, he wasn't just worried about where to live. He also wondered where his dog Maxie would go. That's when the San Diego Humane Society stepped in.
For eight years, Maxie, a mix between Rios and a Chihuahua, has lived here. But their time together has been limited over the past month since their Southcrest home flooded on January 22nd.
“I really can't leave her. It's so hard right now. I can't seem to sleep,” Rios said.
Immediately after the flood, Rios received assistance from the American Red Cross at Lincoln High School, and Maxie received emergency treatment from the humane society, requiring emergency surgery.
“She had a cancerous mass and they took care of her for me,” Rios said.
Rebecca Smith stepped in to help while Maxie recovered and Rios continued to work through the situation. She is the Humane Society's deputy director of animal protection.
“It's so nice because you can love them and take care of them and you can put the animals in a unstable situation knowing that this is only temporary until they can be reunited with their families,” Smith said. said.
The humane organization provided medical care to Maxie through a program for pet owners who need to surrender their animals for medical reasons. It was through the Safety Net Foster Program that they were able to provide a home for Maxie. This is another program that can help in emergency situations, similar to the one Rios participated in.
“The only way we can provide that service is by opening our home and offering it to people who are willing to become foster parents,” Smith said.
For Rios, the transition wasn't as easy as any loving pet owner can relate to.
“It's difficult. I often hide my feelings in public, but late at night I start crying in my room. I try to defend myself as if it's okay, but at night “I'm suffering,” Rios said. ”
The time between undergoing major surgery and being separated from his owner was not easy for Maxie.
“She was nervous. She definitely struggled at first, but I think everyone here just did their best to put her at ease,” Smith said.
But Maxie came along.
“She has a rich personality and is very vocal,” Smith said.
“It's kind of comforting to know that she's okay while I'm going through this process,” Rios said.
When it comes to the next step in his and Maxie's housing situation, frequent visits can help make up for lost time.
“I'm happy that the humane society will raise her. So I know she's being taken care of during this time so we can reunite and be together.” You get a new home and a new place,” Rios said.
Meanwhile, Smith said five families who were victims of the Jan. 22 flood are receiving care for their pets through the same humane society program. Smith said the goal of the program is to reunite pets with their owners.
Humanitarian organizations say they need volunteers for safety net foster programs. Click here for more information.
