“So many people are making the decision to go inside or spend time with animals,” said Jesse Casement of Father Joe’s Village.
SAN DIEGO — There is a movement to encourage more homeless shelters to allow animals in an effort to alleviate the homelessness crisis.
Father Joe’s Villages was one of the first shelters in San Diego to accept service animals and pets. On Thursday, they held an open house in hopes of encouraging others to do the same. There are currently 26 animals staying at Father Joe’s home, including a dog named Caboose.
“This dog is a husky shepherd mix. He just turned 8 years old,” said owner Jillian Grace.
Grace says she can’t imagine life without her dog. Thankfully, she is allowed to keep him around while living at Father Joe’s house. She has been living there since April after living in her car with Caboose.
“What can Caboose do for you?” asked CBS 8.
“Lots of emotional support. He’s very protective and emotionally very reassuring,” Grace said.
On Thursday, Grace shared her story with local shelters and visitors from around the country. An open house was held at Father Joe’s home to get a glimpse of how allowing pets admission works and the minimal effort it requires.
“Sometimes all you have to do is get a pop-up crate and place it at the foot of someone’s bed,” says Christine Kim, founder of My Dog Is Home.
The national nonprofit is working with service providers like Father Joe’s to find ways to open their doors to animals.
In a survey of 66 homeless people with pets, 93% of men and 96% of women said they would not accept housing that prohibited pets.
Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness.
In another study, 89% of survivors said their abuser had threatened, harmed, or killed their pet in order to take advantage of them, get them to leave, or force them to return. It turned out that.
“Pets are our emotional support and part of our family, so people are hesitant to leave their pets behind if they are not safe,” Kim said.
Since 2010, at least 724 animals have stayed with their owners at Father Joe’s home.
These include dogs, cats, lizards, and even roosters.
Father Joe’s provides crates, toys and food, much of which is paid for by state grants.
“All they have to do is take care of the pet, make sure it’s not neglected, and house it safely so it doesn’t pose a nuisance or danger to others in the shelter,” said Jesse, Father’s Director of Client Services. Mr. Casement said. Joe’s Village.
While other shelters in San Diego allow animals, Casement said to prevent homelessness, people must meet animals where they are and encourage more similar behavior. There is.
“That’s what allowing pets is all about: working with them as they are and helping them feel safe as part of the family,” Casement said.
Grace says that even if she is offered protection and cannot take Caboose with her, she will not abandon him.
“That would never have happened. I’ve seen how women are brutalized when they’re not protected, when they’re not safe. That’s your family. Where are you without your family?” “I won’t go,” Grace said.
