Thanks to PAWS/LA and The PetCo. Foundation, homelessness doesn't mean giving up your companion animal.

PAWS/LA, sponsored largely by The PetCo. Foundation, spent four years making the dream come true of a place where individuals faced with homelessness can find emergency shelter with their companion animals. PETCO PLACE, at the PATH homeless shelter in Hollywood, California is the result of that dream.

Originally started in 1989 to help those affected by HIV/AIDS, PAWS/LA has expanded to provide free animal services to low-income elderly people and low-income people suffering debilitating diseases in order for them to be able to retain their companion animals even in times of crisis.

Until now, they were only able to offer fostering services for the animals if people were to find themselves without a place to live and wanted to enter a shelter. However they discovered that most people would rather live in their car or on the streets than be separated from their companion animals for any length of time. That's when they decided it was time to find a solution, and PETCO PLACE was born.

 

For More Information:

To find out how you can help, please visit PAWS/LA and PETCO PLACE by clicking here (PAWS/LA).

Post by Julie Flinn, Best Friends Network Volunteer
Photo courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org