"The Pet Assistance and Support Program has made it easier for thousands to enter shelters and move into permanent housing, serving 4,407 people between 2020 and 2024."
"Many unhoused individuals had avoided shelters because they were unwilling to abandon their dogs or other companion animals, indicating a strong bond between them."
"The program expanded access to previously unreachable clients, with shelters seeing more trust and engagement when animals were allowed indoors."
"Companion animals can reduce loneliness, provide emotional support, and encourage people to seek housing, highlighting their importance to unhoused individuals."
Samuel Haymon's refusal to leave his dog Mordex highlights the need for shelters to accommodate companion animals. The California Pet Assistance and Support Program, initiated in 2019, has enabled shelters to accept pets, providing funding for kennels, veterinary care, and staff. Between 2020 and 2024, the program assisted 4,407 people and helped 886 secure permanent housing with their pets. The program has increased trust and engagement among unhoused individuals, emphasizing the emotional support and companionship that animals provide.
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