California Shelters Welcome Pets to Help More People Find Housing

California found a smart way to help more people experiencing homelessness find shelter. Our state spent $15.75 million on a program that lets people stay in shelters with their pets. This simple change helped thousands of people who were sleeping on the streets.

The Pet Assistance and Support Program ran from 2020 to 2024. It gave money to 37 organizations across California to build kennels, provide pet food, and offer basic vet care. The program also helped pay for staff and insurance needed to run pet-friendly shelters. Before this program, nearly half of homeless pet owners were turned away from shelters because their animals couldn't come with them.

The results show this approach works. The program helped 4,407 people experiencing homelessness keep their pets while getting support. Of these, 886 people moved into permanent housing with their animals. This success rate was higher than the statewide average for homeless people in California. When people don't have to choose between shelter and their beloved pets, more are willing to accept help.

Research from the University of Southern California shows why pets matter so much to people without homes. Many people adopt pets to deal with loneliness and isolation. In Los Angeles, the share of homeless people with pets grew from 1 in 8 before the pandemic to 1 in 5 by 2025. Our community needs more programs like this one to help everyone find safe housing together.