OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – City Care wants the unsheltered population to know they can still seek a warm bed even if they have a four-legged companion.
“They spend their entire day getting ignored by everyone around them,” said Ian Apfelbaum with City Care.
Apfelbaum said for the unsheltered “man’s best friend” means something deeper.
“Their animals, a lot of times, are the only thing that love them unconditionally throughout their day time, excited to see them every day,” said Apfelbaum. “I have no doubt that all of these animals that come in our door every day are just as loved as the dogs we have at home.”
At the end of March, the Homeless Alliance closed it’s winter shelter. The 300-bed facility is only open from November through March.
Now, City Care is seeing an uptick and having to turn some people away.
“In the last two weeks, we have probably seen about 30 to 40 extra individuals that were just walking up to our doors before we opened at 6:00 p.m.,” said Apfelbaum.
He said some people experiencing homelessness think having a four-legged friend will prevent them from getting into a shelter. The City Care is making sure they know that’s not the case.
Inside City Care’s Night Shelter, at Pershing and Villa, are 140-beds and a Pet Hotel with 24 kennels. Also, the kennels are not just for dogs.
“We’re able to make them these full-lengths here or separate them out and make them half-kennels,” said Apfelbaum. “We have all the supplies a pet would need, including food, treats, stuff to give their dogs a bath.”
There is also a space for the pet to run around outside.
After checkout time, at 7 a.m., the shelter can provide new leashes and harnesses.
If more guests come in with a pet, City Care said they can use extra kennels in storage.
The night shelter is open from 6 p.m.-7 a.m.
