Helen Woodward Animal Center brings warmth to dozens of homeless people and their pets in San Diego

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – The Helen Woodward Animal Center brought some warmth to dozens of homeless San Diegans today. Blankets and sweaters were given to people and their pets.

KUSI’s Elizabeth Alvarez has details.

Josefina Rios was very grateful that her lifetime companion, Biscuit, was given a little sweater.

“It’s really cold… and when she is warm, she keeps me warm,” said Rios who is currently getting some assistance as she tries to transition from being out on the streets to a temporary shelter.

At Father Joe’s Neil Good Day Center in Downtown San Diego Friday, the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pets Without Walls program And K9 Dimensions partnered up to provide sweaters and blankets to people and pets.

“This is the second year we’ve been able to do this but, with the rain coming this weekend, it’s chilly in the evenings.  We wanted to make sure, so, K9 dimensions made these blankets and sweaters. We are passing them out this morning and it’s just lovely to see the smile on their faces,”  said Jessica Gerke, PR Director, HWAC.

Currently, the Pets Without Walls Program makes biweekly visits to several homeless shelters around San Diego providing health checks, micro chipping and important vaccination to animals.
But Friday mornings visit was much more than just helping to keep these beloved pets protected from the elements,  Helen Woodward also provided blankets and toiletry kits to human friends in need.

“(They gave me) hygiene, some food.  God is good.  And, thank you guys for helping us too,” said Rios.