Kara Peters had searched for weeks to find housing, looking all over the Island for even the smallest accommodations. On the surface her situation did not seem unique. The Vineyard shuffle, in which year-round tenants are forced to find new housing for the summer months, affects many Islanders. But unlike many in Ms. Peters’ position, the housing was not for her. It was for her three-year-old dog, DJ.

Temporary summer housing often comes with restrictions such as no pets allowed. Pet owners are then faced with two options: give up their pet for good, or find additional temporary housing for their furry friends.

“People just say it would be so much easier without my dog,” said Ms. Peters. “But how could I give him up? He’s all I have.”

After trying repeatedly to find housing for her dog, Ms. Peters found a solution at Angels Saving Helpless Animals, a rescue shelter run by Leslie Hurd. Ms. Peters plans to reclaim DJ in the fall, yet even this situation is not ideal.

“I don’t want to put his quality of life on hold in a shelter,” said Ms. Peters. “I want him to be out here with me.”

For many, though, a temporary solution is not possible and they have to surrender their animals for good.

“It’s pretty tough,” said Lisa Hayes, manager of the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard. “We have to give a lot of hugs. It’s even harder if kids are there, who may not always understand what’s going on.”

As a result of the housing struggle, the long standing policy of the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard is that potential adoptees must own their home, but even this isn’t a guarantee. Divorces or home foreclosure can complicate situations even when the pet owners were previously homeowners.

“You do your best, but nothing’s perfect,” said Ms. Hayes. “There’s still an exception to every rule.”

Currently, the shelter has one dog, Audrey, whose owner had raised her since she was a puppy but was forced to part with her after eight years after being unable to find housing.

Given that the shelter is no kill, there is an evaluation for surrendered pets, which can add to the obstacles that pet owners face. Some, like Maria Thibodeau, find that their dogs may be too aggressive for a shelter. Ms. Thibodeau owns two dogs, and in her case family could give her summer housing, but not her dogs. Friends could offer sympathy, but not much else.

“So many people would come up to me on the street or at the grocery store asking if I’d found a solution, wishing they could help, but they already having a dog or a cat or two,” said Ms. Thibodeau.

Ms. Thibodeau was eventually able to find accommodations for her pets, but only by splitting the dogs up and sending one off-Island for the summer.

Sometimes pets are simply abandoned during the summer months. These usually end up at the shelter or become strays. Martha Dunham said she found a stray cat that then gave birth to four kittens. She later surrendered the kittens to the shelter after realizing she couldn’t take care of all five cats.

“I’m hoping that a good home can be found for the kittens,” said Ms. Dunham.

Despite the growing problem of animal housing, even Ms. Hayes said she understands the dilemma that potential landlords face. “[Landlords] are afraid of fleas and ticks, they’re afraid of not being able to rent their house again if the next renter is allergic to animals,” she said. “So from the landlord’s point of view, I can see where they’re coming from.”

Ms. Hayes emphasizes that surrender is both free and humane, and that if no other option is available, pet owners should consider it an option. And if the animal is not adopted during the summer months and the pet owner finds permanent housing, there is the possibility of getting their pets back.

“It’s not a stigma. It’s not a bad thing,” said Ms. Hayes. “Situations happen. And we’re here with open arms and happy to help you.”