News

The Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation announced today that it has received a $200,000 grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Pet Assistance and Support Program to help house, feed and provide basic veterinary service to the pets of its clients.

Chinn, who spent much of her childhood living alone in a garbage dump during Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution after her mother was jailed and her siblings sent off to labor camps due to her parents' wealth and Christian beliefs, has operated one of the few West Coast shelters to allow animals.

“Betty has long recognized the importance that some homeless individuals attach to their companion animals,” the release states. “Dogs provide emotional support, companionship, warmth and security to people living in the street. However, they also present a significant barrier to services because many shelters do not allow dogs, and this prevents some of the chronically homeless from accessing case management services geared toward regaining their self-sufficiency.”

Read the full release from the foundation below:

The Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Pet Assistance and Support Program.

This was a competitive grant, with $5 million allocated for the State of California to provide funds for homeless shelters to provide shelter, food and basic veterinary services for pets owned by individuals experiencing homelessness, including staff and insurance related to providing those services. The Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation was awarded the maximum amount available to a single entity.

Betty has long recognized the importance that some homeless individuals attach to their companion animals. Dogs provide emotional support, companionship, warmth and security to people living in the street. However, they also present a significant barrier to services because many shelters do not allow dogs, and this prevents some of the chronically homeless from accessing case management services geared toward regaining their self-sufficiency. Betty operates one of the few shelters on the west coast that allows pets.

Betty and her staff are grateful for this opportunity to be able to shelter, feed and provide medical services, including preventative health care such as vaccinations, which in turn protects other animals as well. Betty and her staff are grateful for the legislators who supported the budget bill containing funds for this important purpose.