your pet can stay too

Two of Anchorage's three city-run homeless shelters, including Linda's Place, have changed their policy to allow residents to bring pets with them, according to a report from the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness. The shift addresses a barrier identified in a 2023 coalition survey, which found that pet ownership was one of the biggest reasons people experiencing homelessness refused to enter a shelter.

Under the new policy, staff will accept dogs, cats and other animals as long as they can be properly housed on site. The change means people who previously chose to sleep outside rather than give up their animal now have the option of indoor shelter without separating from their pet.

At Linda's Place, about six people with pets have used the program so far, a sign that the policy is still in its early stages. Advocates say removing the pet barrier could increase the number of people willing to accept shelter, particularly as the transition from winter to spring tends to make homeless camps more visible across Anchorage.

Both shelters accepting pets are run by the municipality, meaning the city is directing resources toward supporting the policy at multiple sites around town.