Companion Animal Care Articles used with permission from All-Creatures.org

The National Link Coalition reports on the exciting news that the Animal Welfare Institute’s Safe Havens directory now includes sheltering options for unhoused individuals and their companion animals in all 50 states.

Safe Havens Directory Expanded to Co-sheltering for the Homeless’ Pets
From The National Link Coalition
May 2025

Photo from Canva

The Animal Welfare Institute’s Safe Havens for Pets initiative, which since 2011 has offered an online national directory of on- and off-site sheltering options for domestic violence survivors with pets, has expanded the directory to include sheltering services that assist pet-owning individuals who are experiencing homelessness.

The listings, which are searchable by ZIP code and updated regularly, feature organizations that either: provide sheltering services for the animals of unhoused individuals and/or domestic violence survivors; have a relationship with an entity that does; or provide referrals to such facilities. They include humane societies, veterinary offices, foster homes, and shelters that house humans and pets together.

The Safe Havens for Pets expansion now includes more than 200 sheltering resources in all 50 states for unhoused individuals and their pets, said Claire Coughlin, director of AWI’s Companion Animal Program. The Safe Havens website also includes information on funding sources for shelters that wish to become more pet-friendly, safety planning tips for survivors with pets, and guidance on including companion animals in personal protection orders, among other resources.

“Domestic violence survivors and unhoused individuals with pets often face upheaval, uncertainty, and the unimaginable feeling of having to choose between safe shelter and their pet — a choice no person should have to make,” said Coughlin, who also serves on the National Link Coalition’s Professional Advisory Committee. “AWI is proud to offer the most comprehensive directory of pet-friendly safe havens nationwide — totaling more than 1,200 entries — to help these individuals locate safe sheltering options, not only for themselves but also for their beloved companion animals.”

The number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the United States is steadily increasing, reaching a record 256,610 in 2023, according to federal data. Some research also suggests that up 25% of unhoused individuals have companion animals, which can create an additional barrier to locating secure housing. Many unhoused individuals are also survivors of domestic violence.

The Safe Haven models listed in the directory include:

• Hale Mauliola on Oahu, Hawai’i, uses upcycled shipping containers to provide temporary housing for up to 100 guests and their pets.
• The Alameda County, Cal., Safe Parking Program offers secure parking for unhoused individuals living in their vehicles. The location welcomes pets and is equipped with essential amenities, including lighting, restrooms, and security patrols.
• Deep Roots, a homeless shelter in Earleville, Md., recently became pet-friendly and provides apartments for up to 12 families with children at its Clairvaux Farm.

Coughlin said that while the Safe Havens for Pets directory is comprehensive, it is not necessarily exhaustive and is a work in progress that must be updated continually. If you are aware of a safe haven that should be included, please contact [email protected]

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Posted on All-Creatures.org: May 15, 2025
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