A measure proposed by state Senator Robert Hertzberg is looking to expand shelter to homeless people and their pets.
The bill, SB 258, would allocate $5 million to provide basic care, veterinary services and food to pets belonging to residents experiencing homelessness. With around a quarter of all homeless people across the nation living in California, and with up to 10% of those individuals being pet-owners, many people who are homeless seek pet-friendly housing. According to Hertzberg, this bill is an effort to reduce the number of homeless people sleeping on the streets. We discuss the pros and cons of pet-friendly facilities with local shelter-operators.
If you are homeless or have experienced homelessness, what do you think of having more pet-friendly shelters? Have you run into issues with animals in shelters? Or has owning a pet been a barrier to getting transitional housing?
Call us at 866-893-5722.
GUESTS:
Anne Miskey, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena
Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, president and CEO of LA Family Housing, a homeless housing service based in the San Fernando Valley; she tweets @SKGLAFH
Andy Bales, CEO at Union Rescue Mission, a private Christian homeless shelter in downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row
Source: KPCC (SCPR)