Homeless pet owners stuck on streets as animal-friendly shelter bill stagnates

April Saccoccio sat begging for money and dog food near Union Square on a sweltering 95-degree day, holding back tears as her pup Snoopy lapped up water from a bowl. 

Snoopy is one of two dogs Saccoccio shares with partner Alex Lively. The pair, and their four-legged friends, spent three years living on the streets of New York. “They are the only things that keep us going,” said Saccoccio. “We put them first; it’s the dogs first, then it’s me and him.”