SAN DIEGO — In an effort to ease the homeless crisis, there’s a push to encourage more homeless shelters to allow animals.
Father Joe’s Villages was one of the first shelters in San Diego to allow service animals and pets. On Thursday, they held an open house in hopes others will do the same. Right now, there are 26 animals staying at Father Joe’s, including a dog named Kaboose.
"He's a Husky Shepard mix. He just turned eight years old,” said his owner, Gillian Grace.
Grace says she can't imagine her life without her dog. Thankfully, she's allowed to keep him by her side while living at Father Joe's. She's been there since April, after having lived with Kaboose in her car.
“What does Kaboose do for you,” asked CBS 8.
“A lot of emotional support. He's very protective, just a lot of emotional security,” said Grace.
On Thursday, Grace shared her experience with visitors from both local shelters and some from around the country. An open house was held at Father Joe’s to give them a glimpse at how allowing pets in works and the minimal effort it takes.
“Sometimes it's as simple as getting a crate that pops up and putting it at the foot of somebody's bed,” said Christine Kim, founder of My Dog Is Home.
The national nonprofit works with service providers like Father Joe's on ways they can open their doors to animals.
In a study of 66 homeless with pets, 93% of men and 96% of women stated housing would not be acceptable if pets were not allowed.
Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness.
Another study found 89% of survivors say abusers threatened, hurt, or killed their pets to leverage or prevent them from leaving or force them to return.
"Pets provide such emotional support for us, and they are parts of our families. And so if the pet is not safe, people are reluctant to leave them behind," said Kim.
Since 2010, at least 724 animals have stayed with their owners at Father Joe's.
That includes dogs, cats, lizards, even a rooster at one point.
Father Joe’s provides crates, toys and food, much of which is paid for through a state grant.
“They just have to take care of their pet, make sure it's not neglected and keep it safely contained so that it's not a nuisance or a danger to any other person in the shelter,” said Jesse Casement, Division Director of Client Services at Father Joe's Villages.
While other shelters in San Diego do allow animals, Casement encourages more to do the same, saying to help curb homelessness, you have to meet people where they're at.
“To be able to allow pets is exactly that. Working with them in exactly the state that they are, and helping them feel safe and secure with their family member,” said Casement.
Grace says if she was offered shelter, but couldn’t bring Kaboose, she wouldn’t leave him behind.
“I wouldn't have. I've seen how women are brutalized when they're not protected, when they're not safe. It's your family. You wouldn't go somewhere without your family,” said Grace.