[mArVHDO6]

by Stephanie Feldstein
category: Shelters and Adoption
Published February 22, 2010 @ 10:00AM PT


Between animal control taking their pets, vets who refuse to return patients to the streets, and shelters that don't allow animals, it's not easy for homeless people to have pets. Yet, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, up to 10 percent (in some areas, as many as 24 percent) of them do.

It's hard for animal lovers to see pets in the care of people who don't seem to have the resources to care for themselves. But being homeless means something different for animals than it does for people. Humans are considered homeless when they don't have a steady, fixed residence; for dogs and cats, homelessness is not having a steady caretaker.


It takes dedication to care for a pet on the streets. It's much easier simply not to have an animal but, as we all know, that's not a simple choice. Pets might be the only source of support and stability in a homeless person's life. They also provide an emotional connection, warmth, and a sense of security. But that human-animal bond comes at a high price.

It's so rare to find a shelter that accepts animals that many people choose to stay on the street rather than leave their pets behind. They're often harassed by animal control and fear that if they do need to seek vet care, the vet won't return their dog or cat if they can't provide a home address. Pet food costs money, and there are many days when they sacrifice their own needs to feed their animals.

It may not be the ideal situation but if the animals are taken away, they'll end up in shelters, where they'll either be euthanized or placed into another home, which then becomes one less available home for the other 6-8 million animals waiting to be adopted.

Of course, whether you're homeless or not, you need to meet minimum standards of care. But as long as the animals are healthy, fed, and loved, we should be working to keep them in their homes, however that home is defined. Homeless shelters need to follow the lead of women's shelters across the country and start opening their doors to pets. We also need more resources like Pets of the Homeless, an organization that provides food and vet care assistance, as well as tips on how to get a program started in your area.

In the U.S., 2.5-3.5 million people experience homelessness each year and, in most cases, it's a temporary condition. More than twice as many cats and dogs experience homelessness (i.e. enter shelters), and for 4 million of them, it ends in the very permanent condition of euthanasia. The last thing we should be doing is adding to that number by taking pets away from people who love them.

Homeless People's Pets Aren't Homeless | Animals | Change.org

[bettingonosports]

I feel the same... I've seen homeless people with dogs, they normally have them tethered, and they are fed when the owner eats. It's loved and it's not rotting in a shelter, waiting to die.




Not to mention the joy they bring their owners, who have less than they do... Having someone there for comfort, warmth, and unconditional love is better than a meal.

[giturbewan]

There's a homeless man that lives out here who has a backpack full of clothes, a bike and a husky mix. That dog gets better care than many people's dogs around here, it's always well fed, and gets tons of exercise. Domino's my boyfriend worked at feeds him and his dog almost everyday.

I have so much respect for those people, I've always said I'd be homeless before I got rid of my dogs.

[virtuah]

There is a homeless guy down the road from where I live & he sits on the side of the road with a sign asking for help. He has a bully mix that is always with him. I've stopped to talk to him a couple of times, the dog is beautiful and very friendly. He calls the dog his- "best buddy" & he def. takes care of him. I know he would be heartbroken if someone took that dog from him.

[CurtisTH]

I recently saw a guy walking a dog and a lady was telling me there was a group of homeless people who took care of the dog and one or the other of them walked him every day. Apparently the dog is dog aggressive, so they are really careful who they bring him around. I found it ironic that they took such good care to keep the dog out of trouble and there are so many irresponsible people in the world who don't keep their dogs out of trouble.

[IdomeoreTew]

A long time ago, when my mother went off the deep end, I ended up out of doors. I had my backpack, my tarot cards and jewelry making, and my dog.
We had no address, but we were bothh fed and cared for, and healthy. I used a friends address when going to the vet, so no one would try to take him.
I used to get compliments on his training, but it was because he was by my side 24/7. He saved me from being raped once, and always alerted me if there was someone near when I was sleeping.

RIP luke.

Homess people with dogs shouldn't have their pets taken if the animal is well cared for. Its all the dogs and their owners have sometimes, is each other.

[janeloveslifenow]

That is a fantastic article, and great programs mentioned.

Our homeless population has several dog "mascots" that I have seen, all pit bulls / PB mixes. I have often thought these are some of the luckiest dogs in the world. They all look well cared for (though I am sure veterinary care could be an issue). But they all have a "village" (the community of homeless) helping to care for and love them; thay get to walk around outside by their owner's side all day and they get to camp out every night. Lucky dogs!

[Alexeryy]

That's a great article.

There used to be a homeless man I would see all the time around town, he had a cute little brindle bulldog mix. That dog was literally his lifeline, and I truly believe most of what little money he made went into the care of that dog. I haven't seen either of them in months, though. So I wish them the best.

Which brings me to this picture which makes me tear up every damn time,

[bettingonosports]

I truly think dogs who belong to homeless have it great... like Buddysmom said...

[gundorana]

That is an awesome story... and that picture of the guy with the Shepherd... that's beyond what words could say about the love you have with your dog.

[Cheeniandab]

i got mr. pancakes right at the end of my homelessness so we were moving around a lot still. (him, m'lady, and me) he never seemed to care where we were as long as he was with us. Also, just about every gypsy i saw in austin, tx had a dog or two. i'm sure these pets are a lot happier than a lot of them with "homes." bad homes of course.

[ffdfriendforurr]

Shit if I was a hobo I would want a dog for company/protection also. I see the trustafarians in the first picture doing the "homeless thing". Them I don't feel sorry for.

[wentscat]

to be honest, I've seen many more homeless pet owners that are responsible than the regular owners!

a lot of homeless persons have dogs around here and I can tell you that those dogs are in excellent shape, they are healthy (hell, they get more and better food than the owner does!) and are greatly loved.

and I cross homeless people with dogs every day in Brussels, and so far I've only had to yell at one of them to keep their dog next to them when I passed with my "pit bull" mutt and so far, I've called the cops on ONE homeless guy because he had 3 cocker spaniel mixes and was kicking one in the ribs. that's something I won't take from ANYBODY, homeless or not.

[meteeratymn]

This fella lives in the Central Park and could often be seen by the Strawberry Fields.


Some homeless dogs are cared for a lot better than the dogs with homes.