A Leash and a Lifeline: Why Pets Matter in the Fight Against Homelessnes
As people who work in housing, we often get asked to shed light on aspects of housing insecurity that our friends and families simply don’t understand. One topic I’ve found a lot of people have trouble grasping is the fact that a lot of our guests have pets. It appears illogical to take on the responsibility and care of an animal if you’re food or housing insecure, but as all pet owners know, owning an animal is about more than just feeding them and giving them a home. Most would agree that our pets give us way more than we could ever provide for them, and this is the same with the guests we see at Make-A-Day.
Pets provide companionship
People develop relationships with those they are closest with in proximity, and spend a lot of time with, but when you’re bouncing around between shelters, couches, service programs and encampment sites, it’s hard to develop relationships or find people you trust. In the process of becoming unhoused most folks disconnect from their families and friends, and lose trust in people in general.
Having a pet with you through all these transitions provides some sense of stability. 80% of pet owners said that their pet is a key source of comfort when feeling lonely according to a survey conducted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute and Mars Petcare . When we meet guests, most of them had their animals when they were in stable situations and kept them as their life took a turn. That animal has stayed with them through losing friendships, evictions, addiction, depression and so much more. Just like the rest of us, their pet becomes their best friend; their true ride or die.
This is Frank. He’s been coming to service with his person for a long time. Like so many of our guests, he’s loyal, resilient, and just trying to stay safe.
Two good pups sticking close to their person during service. A reminder that love and loyalty don’t depend on housing status.
Pets don’t judge.
No matter what you consider home, or what door you walk through your pet will be happy to see you. They don’t care where you’re living, or what you bring home for dinner. They don’t care if you were late on your rent, relapsed, reconnected with some bad friends, haven’t answered your mom’s calls, or just barely managed to get out of bed in the morning. This is more than we can say for most people. Even friends and family have a line that if crossed, they’ll choose to walk away. Having a pet that has been and will continue to be with you through everything can be the one thing to make you feel loved, and remind you that you are worth something. “I can’t say that my pet is my reason for living, but for a lot of these people on the streets, that is the case,” Dr. Kwane Stewart, Veterinarian and founder of Project Street Vet. In all these ways pets provide the support our guests need most.
Unfortunately, pets are a barrier to housing
In 2016, the National Alliance to End Homelessness conducted a survey to assess why people avoid shelters and found that 22% of respondents indicated they avoided shelter because “they don’t accept my pet.” Most shelters do not allow guests to bring pets, forcing them to find someone to take the animal temporarily, get rid of the animal, or remain unhoused. Apartment complexes either don’t allow pets or charge upfront and monthly fees, and may limit the breed, size, or number of pets a tenant can have. Pets can cause conflict between tenants, creating complaints and even evictions.
There are shelters that are working to expand their facilities to accommodate pets like Medina Housing Authority and My Sister’s Place in Athens, Ohio, but this is new territory that is making slow progress.
So what can we do?
Support organizations that are making headway in this arena. Research local shelters, low income housing communities, and other social services that are aiding unhoused pet owners. Knowing these resources are available, and spreading the word let’s our guests know they have options
Advocate for solutions that accommodate pet ownership. Our guests deserve to stay with their pets, and need people to help fight for that right.
Show empathy. The best thing we can do is realize that we don’t know the full story, and try to understand a person before judging them. Most guests would love to tell you the story behind their pet, so ask them. And see if there’s any needs you can fulfill for the guest or pet.