FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): A new program is already helping pet owners in need in Allen County.

The Allen County SPCA has started a program called “compassion fostering,” which means the animal shelter will take care of animals dropped off by owners who find themselves in a crisis but still want to keep their pets.

Shelter manager Jessica Henry tells the Journal Gazette it started with two dogs who were dropped off on Easter because their owners ended up being evicted from their apartment through no fault of their own.

The fostering is part of a larger program called “Pet Promises,” which also offers pet food bank distributions and free spay and neuter surgeries.