The clock is ticking—and Ohio families, pets, and communities are depending on us to act.

Right now, Ohio Senate leaders are making critical decisions about what to include in the state budget. One dangerous amendment added by the House to HB 96, the biennial state budget bill, would gut the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF)—a vital source of state funding for affordable housing, emergency home repair, and homelessness prevention across all 88 counties.

An old apartment building in Akron was condemned, forcing tenants to evacuate abruptly and leaving three cats stranded inside for several days. Two cats belonged to tenants who no longer had stable housing, and the third owner couldn’t bring their cat to their new residence. With no way to re-enter and care for the animals, their situation grew urgent. After multiple rescue attempts failed, Channel 19 News put out a plea for help. That’s when Crystal Riggi of Riggi Rescue stepped in. Clyde was later reunited with his mom, Ember was transferred to Forever Friends Foundation and adopted on 4/4, and Leo is currently recovering with Riggi Rescue, awaiting dental care before he’s ready for adoption.