WHAT IS PETCO PLACE/HOLLYWOOD?

Petco Place is an innovative project providing shelter to the pets of people experiencing homelessness, located within PATH’s Hollywood Center. This unique “shelter within a shelter” is one of only two animal centers in the United States that offer housing to both homeless individuals and their companion animals.

Petco Place was created through the partnership of PATH and PAWS/LA, which maintains the facility and cares for the animals. The program is made possible primarily thanks to funding from the Petco Foundation.

ABOUT

An estimated 5 to 10 percent of homeless individuals have pets. Unfortunately, most shelters do not allow animals, forcing people to choose between keeping their beloved pets and having a roof over their heads. As many pet-owners will recognize, dogs and cats truly become members of the family; the idea of giving them up is often unthinkable.

“For many homeless people, their pet is their only companion,” said Joel John Roberts, CEO of PATH Partners. “Asking them to give up their dog or cat in order to get housing is like asking them to abandon their best friend.”

When faced with this decision, homeless individuals will usually turn down housing in favor of keeping their beloved pets with them. Petco Place allows them to do both by accommodating several dogs and cats in a safe, enclosed facility attached to PATH Hollywood’s housing program. People can access the housing and services they need while remaining with their pets and knowing that their four-legged friends are receiving quality food and care.

SUPPORTERS

The Petco Foundation has been a supporter of PAWS/LA and its work since the Foundation’s inception in 1999.

“The generosity of the Petco Foundation has allowed us to break new ground in helping animal companions remain with their guardians,” Pamela Magette, Executive Director of PAWS/LA, said. “We hope this project will be the first of many creative solutions to address this important need, and allow more people to maintain the vital support their animals can provide.”

Other benefactors of Petco Place/Hollywood include: The City of West Hollywood, The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Foundation, The Home Depot, legalzoom.com and many other community members.

For more information about Petco Place, please contact:
PATH at (323) 644-2200, or
PAWS/LA at (213) 741-1950

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