Los Angeles animal shelter program keeps families together

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Joey Murgas' 11-month-old Boxer Chato is happy and on his way to healthy. But not long ago, he was a very sick pup.

"He wasn't eating. And I felt real bad for him," Murgas said.

He wanted to help his four-legged friend, but just couldn't afford it. With only $50 to spend on Chato, Murgas planned to give him up in hopes Chato would get the treatment he needed.

A story like Murgas' isn't unusual. For years, dogs were surrendered to shelters, where they were caged and, hopefully, adopted. In the past 18 months, however, it's started to change.

Amanda Casarez works six days a week as an intervention counselor at the South Los Angeles Animal Shelter.

"Basically, my job here is to help keep animals in their home," Casarez said.

Instead of taking surrendered animals, she uses grant money to help owners keep their pets at home.

"It can be as simple as they can't afford to feed their dog. A bag of dog food will keep a dog out of the shelter," Casarez said.

Not only does the program keep a pet with its family, but it also keeps a kennel open for a dog that really needs it. Otherwise, they might be turned away.

Casarez said when the program first started, the goal was to help 400 animals stay with their owners.

"We surpassed that. We're going into a year-and-a-half and we're at 3,600 animals right now," Casarez said.

Brenda Barnette, general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services, said the program keeps families together.

"It's a program that gives people hope where people didn't have hope before," Barnette said.

For Murgas, it was the difference he'll never forget.

"The first day when he was gone, it was hard," Murgas said.