Southern Alliance for People & Animal Welfare - Safpaw

02/02/2026

Just an update report on our Outreach activities. We got started 2 days prior to the storm and we were out on the Monday after the storm. We have been out ever since, including a wellness check on a new tent that had been set up today.

We have handed out 25 food boxes to camps and homes where folks were struggling. We have also handed out 27 propane tanks and exchanged over 15, bringing back full tanks in exchange. What is disturbing is how many of these had to go to slumlord housing so inadequate that the temps hovered around 30 degrees. And they did not loose power, their housing is that bad.

And some did go to houses where folks are “squatting”. Abandoned houses that at least keep a body dry and shielded from the wind. Legal? Trespassing? No and yes. But I will not concern myself with laws that are unjust. When the people and animals we serve cannot find shelter anywhere else they find what they find. Now Metro did increase sheltering locations. But folks there are too many in need and even with the increase not all was 24x7 and it was still not enough.

As far as the folks who did not go in, please understand that to a life with privilege that may seem to be a simple case of a bad decision. But for people whose lives are governed by fragile instability and the constant need to move due to the criminalization of poverty and homelessness when you do find a spot there is a craving to just stay put. Because you are not just physically tired but soul tired. And while I wish everyone unhoused would and could go in, I also understand the need to stay put. So we will help everyone we can to safely do so if they express to us that they will not go in.

Thank you so much to everyone who donated. While we need you year round I do want you to know that you saved lives during these dangerously cold days. And we all know the cold is not done with us, so we will continue to do all we can.

We are all needed.

Laurie Green
Southern Alliance for People & Animal Welfare - Safpaw

safpawnashville@gmail.com
Resource line (please text)
615-474-8390

02/01/2026

For Saturday, 1/31 through Sunday, 2/1. The emergency weather shelter at 3230 Brick Church Pike will remain open 24 hours.

Please bring your pets, do not leave them behind.

For transportation assistance please call 615-401-1712.

Laurie Green
Southern Alliance for People & Animal Welfare - Safpaw

01/31/2026

Posting again because I think this is critical information for us to know.

01/31/2026

01/30/2026

I do understand the points made when folks mention that we need to be better prepared for disasters. But as an Outreach Worker of 25 years I’d like to add a few observations.

Being prepared means buying and storing things like non-perishable foods, non electric heat sources, blankets, water, pet food, etc. And that takes 2 things that people struggling do not have. Money and space. Being well prepared takes income and when every penny you have goes towards surviving day-to-day then there is simply nothing left to purchase items in preparation for a storm or whatever form a disaster may take. And when you live in a tent, hotel room, subsidized efficiency then there is no space to put anything. You are already clinging to possessions that you do truly need and trying to keep them safe.

When you do not have stability in where you live (what is often referred to as couch surfing) you are lucky if you can move from place to place with your immediate needs. “Planning for” means planning to move yet again. What can fit inside of a backpack is all you can take with you as far as needs and possessions.

So please keep that in mind with every well intended warning. You may be tempted to respond with the need to have fewer possessions. But when your life has had no stability for as long as you can remember and moving from place to place is your only constant then “things” become so important. Things that remind you of a better time. A child or spouse. A parent. Years ago a friend’s tent was destroyed by the MNPD and in the tent that was thrown into a dump truck was their family Bible with pictures of family. You have no idea the pain that caused.

So please, understand that what you think is just practical and important advice may not be so easy for some to achieve or even wrap their head around. It may be important but it is neither practical nor easy.

Laurie Green
Southern Alliance for People & Animal Welfare - Safpaw
safpawnashville@gmail.com

01/30/2026

Friday, January 30th

The shelter at 3230 Brick Church Pike will operate on extended hours, remaining open for 24 hours.

DO NOT leave your pets behind!

Laurie Green
Southern Alliance for People & Animal Welfare - Safpaw

01/29/2026

NASHVILLE & Davidson County:

For Thursday, 1/29/16

Metro will continue work 24 hour overflow shelter operations at 3230 Brick Church Pike.

Do not leave your pets behind! Bring them with you.

Laurie Green
Southern Alliance for People & Animal Welfare - Safpaw

01/29/2026

As soon as we could get out we continued our Outreach Program this past Monday. Thanks to everyone who responded we had collected 7 propane tanks and a lot of 16oz propane canisters to hand out.

What I hope will be disturbing is that many of our stops were to homes so inadequate that they needed the propane. And NO, this was not due to their electricity being out, it wasn’t. It was because for too many of our neighbors, a slumlord house is the only overpriced place they can find. One is a house that this city placed them in after Old Tent City closed.

And yes, a few council members respond. But a long haul response is needed. Anyone can respond during a crisis. But for too many of our citizens who find housing after homelessness it is the everyday following up and “are you adjusting” that is needed. That and “is this pathetic excuse for housing working for you?” Yes, I am being harshly sarcastic and I will offer no apology.

Not placing people in a so called house that is actually not better than the tent we supposedly “rescued” them from is a start we need for 2026. We will always serve, even delivering propane to people housed.

But dear God Nashville, we have to do better.

Laurie Green
Southern Alliance for People & Animal Welfare - Safpaw

01/27/2026

1/27/26 Tuesday

3 Overnight Warming Shelters Available:

Fairgrounds, Expo 1: 401 Wingrove St;

Madison Community Ctr: 550 N. Dupont Ave;

SE Community Ctr: 5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy.

For transportation assistance call 615-401-1712.

PLEASE do not leave your companion animal behind!

Laurie Green
Southern Alliance for People & Animal Welfare - Safpaw