“How can I plan for the future of my pets in case of detention or deportation?” This article, which appeared in a Spanish-language newspaper, summarizes one of the many thoughts of undocumented immigrants. The steps to take, it is suggested, are to find a trusted person who will agree to care for the animal, set aside money for its care, and write detailed notes about the animal’s breed, diet, medications, vaccinations, and veterinarian. For example, after the ICE raids in New York, Benny, a bulldog, was left homeless when his owners were deported and therefore could not take him with them. Mr. Kyle Aaron Reese adopted him after seeing an appeal on Facebook. But the phenomenon is growing: animals separated from their deported owners are left in the care of kind people, ICE takes no interest in these poor animals that suddenly find themselves abandoned, let alone the broken hearts of their owners who are forced to leave them.
Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign began last January, just days after his official nomination as president of the United States. Federal law enforcement officers conducted sweeping raids in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Diego, Denver, Miami, Atlanta and other major cities, arresting and deporting more than 8,000 immigrants, fueling fear and disorientation among communities.
Currently, it is not yet known exactly how many pets have been separated from their families. A representative of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals wrote in an email that “it is too early to identify specific trends” in animal shelter admissions due to immigration raids.” On the other hand, many shelters in the U.S., like the one in New York City for example, have already announced that they no longer have room to take in more animals.
Will Zweigart, founder of the group Flatbush Cats, a nonprofit organization that cares for Brooklyn’s stray cats and for which Reese volunteers, said, “We are hearing heartbreaking word-of-mouth stories from neighbor to neighbor.” He added, “However, leaving a pet can be devastating and knowing that it will be properly cared for can provide some comfort to immigrant owners. Pets are family.”
