Johnson County Mental Health Center has announced a partnership with BestyBnB, a Kansas City-based company that created a first-of-its-kind technology platform to help those seeking services find temporary foster homes for their pets.

Friends of Johnson County Mental Health Center, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supporting Johnson County Mental Health Center, will cover the costs for JCMHC clients’ pets to stay with trained, vetted caregivers in the community for up to 30 days.

Finding temporary care for pets can be a significant barrier for people seeking treatment for mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders. A recent survey conducted by JCMHC revealed that 71% of the 59 JCMHC staff members surveyed had at least one client decline treatment in the last six months because they did not have temporary care for their pets.

“Our pets are family, and no one should have to decide between getting help or keeping their pet,” said Tim DeWeese, JCMHC Director, “Providing this resource for the first time to those seeking mental health services in our community will make care more accessible and help save lives.”

BestyBnB has worked extensively with domestic violence agencies in the Kansas City area, including Rose Brooks Center, Synergy Services, Hope House and Safehome, among others, to remove barriers and get survivors, children and pets out of crisis and into safety. The partnership with BestyBnB provides the same opportunity to JCMHC clients who experience similar barriers to getting help.

“We started BestyBnB to remove barriers and save lives. There are many intersections in social services, including the abundant need for safe, temporary pet housing and care,” said Matt Krentz, BestyBnB co-founder.

“We designed this platform to be used by a wide variety of social service and animal welfare agencies, and partnerships like this one help bring the community together to achieve our shared goal: making services more accessible and helping pets remain lifelong companions,” said Andy Bond, BestyBnB co-founder.

Those interested in getting involved and helping people and pets can support Johnson County Mental Health Center and BestyBnB in two ways:

• Sign up to be a Pet Caregiver. Safe and loving temporary foster homes for pets are needed. Sign up to become a Pet Caregiver at mybestybnb.com.
• Donate to support foster pets. In addition to covering the costs for JCMHC clients’ pets to stay in temporary foster homes, Friends of Johnson County Mental Health Center will also cover needed pet supplies, like food, medicine and carriers. Donations directed to Foster Pet Care for Clients in Crisis can be made at friendsofjcmhc.org/support.