Should homeless have pets?  This question is asked of Pets of the Homeless occasionally but the question has come up twice in the last month from a freelance writer and a reporter from the LA Times

A dynamic relationship has always existed between people and animals. Each influences the psychological and physiological state of the other.  Someone observing may think a homeless with a pets is being irresponsible and selfish.  But if you look more closely into their relationship it may reveal that the homeless person is doing the opposite.

A growing series of scholarly publications, published by Purdue University Press in collaboration with Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, expands our knowledge of the interrelationships between people, animals, and their environment.  Pets of the Homeless has been mentioned in many articles for magazines, in books, videos and news reports which expands the animal-human bond, especially the homeless’ bond with their companion pets.

In a recent article by Nanci Hellmich of USA Today titled “A little puppy love can enrich life, boost heath”, “Research shows seniors benefit from owning a pet”  if you would replace every “senior”, “people” with “homeless” the article is spot-on.  After all is said and done homeless are people too.  So why shouldn’t they have pets?  The homeless are part of the 68% of U.S. households that have a pet.

As founder of Feeding Pets of the Homeless dba: Pets of the Homeless, I saw a need for pet food and veterinary care that was not offered by any other organization.  In 2006, I started the organization to address the need.  By 2008 Feeding Pets of the Homeless was a national nonprofit.

The mission: Feeding Pets of the Homeless believes in the healing power of companion pets and of the human/animal bond which is very important in the lives of many homeless.  They find solace, protection and companionship through their pets.  They care for their pets on limited resources so they themselves have less.  Our task, nationwide, is to feed and provide basic emergency veterinary care to their pets and thus relieve the anguish and anxiety of the homeless who cannot provide for their pets.

From day one when the organization was founded it was apparent to me:

• A pet never judges your appearance or lack of housing or food.
• A pet gives comfort in the form of touch so you feel less lonely.
• A pet’s loyalty is so powerful that animal control has to be called to remove a dog from the body of a deceased homeless person.   Pets very rarely stray too far.
• A pet provides protection from people who would do bodily harm and even other homeless who steal what little possessions they may have.  Protection while you sleep.
• A pet provides warmth on those lonely winter days and nights on the streets.

Most people who experience homelessness (eighty percent) are homeless for a short period of time, and usually need help finding housing and/or a rent subsidy.   But unfortunately, for those with a pet it becomes more difficult.  Many are forced to choose between their pet and a roof over their head.  Surprisingly, most choose to stay on the streets with their pets for longer periods of time.  For the chronically homeless, a pet provides companionship helping with the loneliness of being homeless.  A pet opens the opportunity of social interaction with other people.  When pets can be the focus of attention they keep their owners in the present.  They need to be feed, watered, brushed, walked which helps with stress and anxiety because stress is caused by worrying about the past or the future.  Caregiving brings a certain amount of psychological and physical relaxation.  Depending on the relationship between the owner and their pet, the owner may even put the pet’s needs in front of their own.  Research shows that petting an animal lowers blood pressure and has other benefits.

For the homeless a pet is a member of their family, a family of two.  Pets of the Homeless receives emotional calls for help when a homeless person’ pet is injured or ill.  They are frantic and full of guilt that their family member is suffering and they do not have the resources to take them to a hospital.  After the treatments we often get calls of gratitude for the help that we provided.

Since 2008, over 300 tons of pet food and supplies have been distributed by our 470+ collection sites.  Over $223,000 has been spent on veterinary care, pet food and sleeping crates.