My Dog is My Home: SB 344 - Legislation to Provide Care and Services to the Homeless Community and Their Pets

On February 9, 2021, Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) introduced new legislation establishing a permanent grant program for homeless shelters to provide shelter and food to our unhoused neighbors and their animal companions – an effort lauded as “supporting both ends of the leash.” SB 344 builds on the success of the Pet Assistance and Support (PAS) Program of 2019, and requires homeless shelters to establish rules of conduct and responsibility regarding pets and their owners, provide crating or kenneling near bunks or in a separate area, and supply food for both people and their pets. Participating shelters are also required to provide access to veterinary services, including spay and neuter.

Presenter: Senator Robert Hertzberg, California State Senate Majority Leader

keywords: My Dog is My Home Co-Sheltering conference, animal well-being, unhoused people with pets, homelessness; animal policy; homeless funding; homeless shelter, Pet Assistance Support (PAS) Program, Senator Robert Hertzberg, SB 344, SB344