A pet-friendly homeless shelter pilot in California helped 4,407 people keep their pets while accessing shelter and services.

A homeless woman in Los Angeles holds her dog after a free veterinary visit in 2024. Mario Tama/Getty Images

California’s Pet Assistance and Support Program, launched in 2019 by the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development, aimed to make homeless shelters more pet-friendly. The initiative provided $15.75 million between 2020 and 2024 to 37 organizations across the state. This funding enabled shelters to create pet-friendly spaces, offer veterinary care, and provide pet food and supplies. It also covered staffing and insurance costs for operating such shelters.

The program was evaluated in collaboration with My Dog Is My Home, a nonprofit supporting pet-inclusive housing for the homeless, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The evaluation found that 4,407 people experiencing homelessness were able to keep their pets while receiving support. Many entered shelters, and their animals received necessary veterinary care. A total of 886 individuals ultimately moved into permanent housing with their pets, a higher success rate than the statewide average for homeless people in California.

Theoretically, the program should have reduced the number of homeless people with pets. However, since 2019, the number of homeless individuals in Los Angeles with dogs and other pets has increased. Before the pandemic, about 1 in 8 homeless people had pets. Nearly half of those pet owners had been turned away from shelters due to lack of pet-friendly accommodations.

Research conducted by the University of Southern California’s Homelessness Policy Research Institute, which has produced annual homeless count estimates for Los Angeles since 2017, found that by 2025, the share of homeless people in Los Angeles with pets had risen to about 1 in 5. The exact reasons for this increase remain unclear.

This program highlights the complex relationship between homelessness and pet ownership. While pet-friendly shelters have helped many people stay in shelters and access care for their animals, the rising number of homeless individuals with pets suggests ongoing challenges in meeting the needs of this vulnerable population. The issue underscores the need for continued investment and innovative solutions to address housing insecurity and the unique needs of those who are homeless with pets.

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