Animal Services Launches Reunion Program

A new automated text messaging program called Lost2Found guides owners through the entire process of finding a lost pet when they text the word, "STRAYS" to 555-888.

Stanislaus County â€“ Lost2Found is a successful new program to increase lost pets reunited with their owners. A large problem owners face is lack of knowledge. When pet owners lose a pet, it is an emotional stressful situation coupled with lack of knowledge. Lost2Found will provide knowledge of lost pet behavior, evidence-based strategies, and links to shelters in the area. Simply by texting the word â€œSTRAYSâ€ to 555-888.

The new solution is an automated text messaging program called Lost2Found. When a pet owner texts the word â€œSTRAYSâ€ to 555-888, they are guided through the entire process of finding a lost pet, from links to view pets on local sheltersâ€™ websites to in-depth video tutorials. This is a result of the PETCO Foundation awarding a grant to Front Street Animal Shelter to ensure program development, which can easily be replicated across the country to increase more pets are reunited. The shelter will be distributing a magnet with the text messaging information everywhere to educate the public.

â€œWe are excited to try a new solution to help pets be united with owners. We want the community to remember they have lost pet resources available to assist in the reunification of their family member,â€ stated Annette Patton, Executive Director of Stanislaus Animal Services.

Stanislaus Animal Services Agency hopes that the combination of lost resources will lead to higher return-to-owner rate, reuniting more families and creating much needed kennel space for the animals that truly need to be here. Stanislaus Animal Services Agency continues to reinvent animal services with new methods to save lives. Please continue to help our community as we want to continue to move forward with life-saving efforts and reuniting pets with owners in Stanislaus County.

Stanislaus Animal Services Agency is located at 3647 Cornucopia Way, Modesto and can be reached at 209-342-1740 for questions related to the program.

MOES is Closing

The Modesto Outdoor Emergency Shelter will be closing by early December to make way for future developments of the Tuolumne River Regional Park.

The Modesto Outdoor Emergency Shelter (MOES) under the Ninth Street Bridge was always intended to be a temporary solution to the Cityâ€™s urgent homeless crisis, and soon it will close to make way for future developments of the Tuolumne River Regional Park.

The County, the City, the Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority, and many other community partners are working together to provide substantial new housing and shelter opportunities in our county.

In addition to the Countyâ€™s new Access Center and Emergency Shelter opening at the Salvation Armyâ€™s campus this month, a new Stanislaus County Community Services Agency Family Housing unit opened on South 9th Street on November 15th. Ongoing efforts include the Empire Migrant Center, a temporary housing opportunity, and the Kansas House Project, which is the conversion of an existing motel into permanent supportive housing. These combined housing opportunities will produce enough beds to accommodate roughly 550 homeless individuals by February 2020.

Community Services Agency staff are working to transition our local unsheltered population into the appropriate housing or shelter option that best meets their needs.

Accountability will be key!

The Modesto Police Department is preparing for a potential influx of vagrancy-related issues and illegal camps in the downtown Modesto and surrounding areas as a result of MOES closing.

In order to continue to sustain the vibrancy and economic revitalization of the downtown area, the Modesto Police Department will be deploying the Crime Reduction Team, Homeless Engagement And Response Team, Crime Prevention Unit, and Bike and Equestrian Unit Officers to proactively address any vagrancy issues or other criminal behavior.

If you feel unsafe because of an act of vagrancy, call the police departmentâ€™s non-emergency line at (209) 552-2470. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.

For questions or concerns, in Modesto, email Modesto Neighborhoods, Inc. at moc.liamg@sdoohrobhgienotsedom

Seeking Volunteers for PIT Count

Properly counting our unsheltered homeless population is critically important to obtaining the state and federal funding needed to provide sufficient services.

Each year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development requires our community to count the number of people experiencing homelessness in our county. Data collected is critical to effective planning and performance management toward the goal of ending homelessness and helps to mobilize various efforts to address the needs of our homeless population. In addition, properly counting our unsheltered homeless population is critically important to obtaining the state funding needed to provide sufficient services.

The county is in need of volunteers to count the unsheltered homeless individuals in our county. If you are interested in helping with this effort, please visit Love Our Neighbors and register for a location that suits you. In order to complete your volunteer registration, you must attend a training seminar as well as indicate the city you would like to volunteer in on January 23rd. Time requirements for the Point in Time Count vary by location. Several training opportunities are available. Volunteers may choose the time and location that works best.

For more information call 209-525-6322 or email moc.ytnuocnats@sucof

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Animal Services Launches Reunion Program

MOES is Closing

Seeking Volunteers for PIT Count