Shelter lets homeless families, pets stay together

[Redfairen]

Sparkle is a blur of red fur as she runs in circles and growls gleefully at her masters, Kahyln, 8, and Kori, 7, sisters who live with their mom and dog in a south Scottsdale homeless shelter.

The girls were tossing a ball for their exuberant long-hair Chihuahua mix one day during winter break at Family Promise for Pets, in the 7200 block of East Belleview Street. One of 184 Family Promise facilities nationally, the remodeled home is the first in Arizona to allow families to live with their four-footed friends, said Lish Hammer, a development specialist with the agency.

The idea, Hammer said, is to bring in families who might otherwise live on the streets rather than part with their pets. During a recent count of the homeless in the region, Hammer realized the importance of accommodating the faithful furry friends of the homeless.

"We saw so many people under the bridge at Seventh Avenue with their pets," Hammer said, "They told us, 'Nowhere will they take my pet.'"


http://www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/20121227scottsdale-shelter-lets-homeless-families-pets-stay-together.html

[Curmudgeoness]

1. I can relate. It is wonderful that they are doing this.

I know that I would never part with my cat. It is amazing that they found so many people willing to be homeless than to abandon their pets. Good for them.