Riverside Homeless Shelter Opens Pet Kennel

RIVERSIDE (CBS)— Riverside's homeless will soon have a shelter for their dogs and cats.

According to city officials, Homeless Campus Pet Kennel will open May 19 at 2880 Hulen Place, adjacent to Path of Life Ministries, which provides assistance for the homeless.

While transients are seeking job placement assistance, welfare benefits and other services through the Riverside Community Shelter and the Community Access Center, their dogs and cats will be permitted to remain at the campus in a 400-square-foot shelter in one of 18 "pods".

"Having a pet kennel at the homeless shelter allows people to bring their pets with them when they seek services and consequently allows us to provide services to an entire segment of the homeless population that we previously could not assist," said City Councilman Mike Gardner.

A US Housing & Urban Development community block grant paid for construction of the facility, with time and materials donated by local contractors. Benefits of the kennel include vaccination, spay and neuter services to control over-breeding.

The campus will be the third shelter in the country catering exclusively to homeless people's pets, according to city officials.