Pets have well-known therapeutic benefits, and a furry or feathered companion might be the only health-related assistance a homeless person is able to receive.
There are many considerations for personal safety when a person is experiencing homelessness, unfortunately for women in particular. Living on the street can be very dangerous and an animal can help someone protect themselves and their few possessions. In this video Tristan and Robyn, a couple experiencing homelessness in Canada, give an honest answer to why they have their pets as part of their lives.
One challenge for someone who is homeless is that most shelters and SROs do not accept pets or animals. It is often difficult to part with an animal who is such a close companion, which puts both of them out on the streets. The next time you see a homeless person with an animal companion, remember that there is likely more to the story than you might imagine. A little compassion can go a long way; so send a smile and lend a hand when you can to homeless persons and their pets. Photo credit: Rex Holhbein, Homeless in seattle facing homelessness.
The Situation is Temporary In most cases, homelessness is a transitional phase for both the person and the animal. I am forty-three years old and Olivia is seven. I look forward to a place I can call my home. This gives them more reasons to do better, which includes providing for their canine companions.
Some homeless people even find ways to raise money, not for them but for their pets. With such a connection, other people are seen to be friendlier and more helpful to people with pets than those without one.
When you give a homeless person some food, they tend to break it in half and share an equal part to their dogs despite how hungry they are. That kind of sacrifice is incomparable. Fortunately, there have been organizations that support not only the homeless but also their pets. While these groups of people provide food, backpack bed, and other needs to the homeless, they also make sure that their pets have enough nutritious food and water.
The bottom line is, there is no doubt that the homeless deserve to have pets just the same as everyone else. Source 1. Backpack Bed for Homeless is a national Australian charity that provides life saving Backpack Beds to street sleeping homeless people without shelter. A pet can be the one thing that gives them the courage to face each day. Their furry friend is often the only other creature in the world who seems to treat them with unconditional love and compassion.
Having a pet to provide companionship, protection, and love can be a major contributing factor whether someone survives or not. They are a lifeline for their owner and a source of courage, strength, and love for someone struggling to survive. As an expert and huge advocate for keeping homeless and their pets together, we can assure that people experiencing homelessness love their pets and will always find ways to provide for them.
When it comes to owning a pet, people experiencing homelessness are not much different than people who are housed: they love their furry companions, take good care of them, and treat them as family. So, next time you see a homeless person and their pet on the street, put your worries to the rest, the pet is well cared for.
Being homeless is one of the most difficult challenges someone can face. For most homeless pet owners, their pet is the only solace they have in this harsh world. Many studies show that having a pet decreases the use of drugs and alcohol as well other high-risk behaviour.
Visit our Research Matters blog for weekly posts from the homelessness sector here. The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is the largest national research institute devoted to homelessness in Canada. There are many positive effects associated with pet ownership, including improved physical and mental health, as shown in J. I have two cats and a dog, and definitely fall under this category. People experiencing homelessness are no different, and a significant number of them have pets.
Many people cannot bear to give up pets they adopted while housed—remember that most homelessness in Canada is short-term —while others acquire pets while already homeless. While there is limited research in this area, the studies that have been done all highlight the following as reasons why homeless people have pets. Companion animals, as explored in Paws for Thought and this UK study , are often more than just pets.
For many people, especially those experiencing homelessness—whose social networks are usually extremely limited as a result of their homelessness—bonding with an animal is a great source of love and companionship.
Similarly, a study of homeless women living in shelters in 6 Canadian cities by Labrecque and Walsh found that nearly half of participants cited attachment as the primary reason for owning a pet.
Studies with homeless youth also show the significance of love and companionship. Love and companionship were common themes for participants, with This sense of purpose, responsibility and accountability from animal companionship can be transformative in the lives of people experiencing homelessness.
She interviewed homeless people in Boulder, CO and San Francisco, CA who were visiting street vet clinics and asked about their pets, resulting in very moving stories. Several people said their pets helped them manage their addictions. Tommy adopted a stray dog named Monty after his release from jail. Another interviewee, Donna, had a similar story with her adopted dog Athena, who she credits for her sobriety. In many stories, love, companionship and responsibility are all common reasons why homeless people kept their pets.
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