09/11/2024
Sweetie and Chubby were brought to the South LA Shelter last week to be surrendered. The woman in the photo, who brought the dogs to the shelter felt overwhelmed, mentally and financially. Back in January, her son, who the dogs belonged to, died from an overdose. She has been keeping them outside, since her landlord will not allow them in her rented room. Living on a fixed income that barely covers her basic necessities, she struggles to buy dog food. Jackie, our full time social worker, was able to get her connected to mental health services for the grief and loss she feels, as well as advocating for other services, including medical, since she has not been able to get her necessary appointments. Thankful for the help, she felt supported enough that she took the dogs back home.
Without on site support at shelters, pets like Sweetie and Chubby are surrendered everyday due in part to generational trauma. This is more than just history—it's a cycle affecting entire communities, leading to heartbreak and the tragic epidemic of overdoses we see today. Families, including our beloved pets, suffer together.
Healing begins with unity. By keeping families intact and supporting connections between people and their pets, we create a foundation of love, resilience, and recovery.
