SAN DIEGO — 100 pets residing in temporary homeless shelters are now snuggling into new sweaters and toasty blankets to battle the winter temperatures. It's all part of the "Cozy Critter Visit."
"A lot of people have had these pets even before they were homeless," said Jessica Gercke of Helen Woodward Animal Center. "They love them like family. The pets love them like family, So we really want to make sure those pets stay healthy and happy, so that they can keep them with them.”
Downtown, the center set up two giant tables filled with sweaters of all sizes, blankets, pet food, toiletry items, and jackets for the community.
Roy Southwell is homeless and says he and his pit bull named "Happy" are inseparable.
"As fas as having a dog, he's a very good companion," said Southwell from Cordele, Georgia.
Southwell and his wife of 33 years have been living on the streets for four years. He said the couple and dog sleep on the sidewalk as they wait to get into Father Joe's or the Alpha Project since his wife needs a bottom bunk, which takes a long process.
"We'll just stay under a bridge when it rain or make the best of it, they don't let us use tents on the sidewalk," Southwell said.
Southwell says he's grateful that his dog Happy never goes hungry.
"Happy eats better than I do with all the top-brand food items the shelter gives out," he said.
The Helen Woodward giveaway was held downtown at Father Joe's Villages Neil Good Day Center on 17th St.
Gercke said this event is a morale booster, especially with rain on the way.
“We know that there is rain coming this weekend and the evenings have been very chilly, and thanks to K9 Dimensions - they actually did this with us last year - they provided us with handmade little hoodies and sweaters, hand knit sweaters, and blankets and all sorts of great things we can provide to the pets down here," said Gercke.
With cool temperatures at night, Southwell says having a sweater on Happy makes a huge difference for the dog.
"Pit bulls are cold-natured, and he stays warm with that, so we appreciate it very much," Southwell said.
Helen Woodward Animal Center says their team does this big event annually They come out biweekly to do regular pet screenings.