Sadly many visits to Pets of the Homeless website are from people about to become homeless or who are homeless with pets. One young woman wrote: “Hello. I just came across your web page. I too am about to be homeless (with a 9 yr old Samoyed dog) I live in Marin/Sonoma area of California. I can’t find anywhere that I can have my precious pup. So I’m going to be sleeping in my car for a while. I’m a 5′ 2 in. 40 yr old female. Scared, but what can I do? Maybe someone has suggestions. Thank You!”
Pets of the Homeless suggests people in such a circumstances visit or call a Salvation Army, local food bank or food pantries (ask for pet food), Catholic Charities and other social organizations. Veterans can call the local VA office for help. Some dog rescues, local animal control, SPCA or Humane Society may “foster” pets until a pet owner can get back on their feet.
Organizations that distribute pet food and pet supplies are listed by state on Pets of the Homeless website: Distributing Organizations
The area director in Dallas wrote: “I am getting requests for help with homeless, abused women and their families who have pets. They need to board their pets while they are in the women’s shelters.”
“To Whom It May Concern, I have recently lost my second part time job and am down to only one part-time position. I won’t be able to make rent this month. I have been applying all over and am unable to find work. Obviously, no rent – no roof. At this time I am left to seek other accommodations. I think I only need someone to watch my pets for a month – maybe a month and a half – just long enough to gather money from my other position for travel money to make it to a different location. I do not want to lose my pets – I just need someone to take them in for a month or so. Any suggestions?”
“My husband and I became homeless when we moved from Massachusetts to Charleston, SC. We’ve been living in my truck for 8 days with our 5 beautiful cats. They are 3 female, ages 5 yrs and 13 weeks and 2 male aged 6 weeks. We can’t go to a shelter because they won’t allow our cats and we can’t part with any of them… They’re the only family we have. Do you know of any resources that can help us feed our cats and have them checked by a vet for free, in North Charleston, SC.? We’re sort of stranded here until we can return to MA. Nobody can help us with gas to get back, either. At any rate we just want to make sure our babies (cats) are okay while we strive to make a life for them and us. Thank you in advance.”
Too few shelters allow pets. Pets of the Homeless recognize a dire need for homeless services to fill this gap of not allowing pets into their shelters. We award grants to homeless shelters looking for ways to allow pets shelter with their owners. Any homeless shelter wanting more information about Pets of the Homeless Crate Project may download the simple Guidelines & Procedures.
If you are homeless or about to become homeless, consider a visit to a homeless shelter in your area. Provide them with this information. You may be the person who opens the door to the homeless with pets in your community. Help us to help you.
