Ashland will allow homeless people to bring pets into city overnight shelters, but only when the temperatures drop to 20 degrees or below. Pets will not be allowed in the regular overnight shelter held each Tuesday through April in the city’s Pioneer Hall.

City Councilors voted to allow pets inside the shelters when temperatures hit 20 degrees or less, citing the danger to life. Some homeless will not stay overnight if they can’t bring their animals with them.

Ashland’s 1st Presbyterian Church hosts a Monday night shelter while Trinity Episcopal offers shelter on Wednesday nights. Those churches allow pets and have reported few problems, expect for a few soiling incidents.

Volunteers in the city shelter must designate an area for pets, cover the floor with plastic, dogs must be kept in crates, and any soiled areas must be cleaned and sanitized.