Animal Support for People Experiencing Homelessness

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    It is estimated that 6-24% of the national homeless population have an animal that they care for. In Portland, that estimate rises to 20-24%. Driving around the city it is not uncommon to see someone experiencing homelessness walking their dog. Animals can provide a lot of support emotionally.

Why Animals?

     Studies have found that dogs improve the mood and emotional state of people experiencing homelessness and can drive down levels of depression. In youth homeless communities, dogs are reported to be protectors and provide a source of love and affection for their owners. Many people claim that someone experiencing homelessness is not fit to care for an animal and is giving them a worse life. Research has shown a different story. People experiencing homelessness who owned animals had put more time and money into their animals' healthcare compared to their own. Additionally, Animals in the care of people experiencing homelessness were found to be in excellent health, comparable to those in housed communities. The only thematic behavioral issue reported was separation anxiety from their owners. 

    Unfortunately, reports from the same studies mentioned above all report the same trend. Even though animals are a good resource for people experiencing homelessness, they create a barrier to many of the resources meant to help them. Homeless youth and adults reported having more trouble finding space in shelters or healthcare resources if they have an animal. Given the support the animals provide, there are ways people have tried to build resource networks for these pets and their owners. 

Take Action

    There are ways to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness and their pets on a large level, as well as local community resources. Much of the literature surrounding homelessness and pets calls for a move to healthcare from the One Welfare lens. One welfare is a perspective that a person's health is influenced equally by themselves, the animals around them, and their environment. Healthcare resources for those experiencing homelessness should take the importance of animals into the healthcare of people and not turn them away because they have a dog. 

    On the local level, in Portland, there are two organizations that provide resources for animals in the care of people experiencing homelessness. Feeding Pets of the Homeless is a charity organization that provides food and supplies for homeless pets as well as wellness checks. Homeless Oregon Pet Project is a non profit that focuses on providing healthcare resources for animals including vaccines and other medical treatments. Both organizations are constantly seeking volunteers and donations. Feeding Pets of the Homeless also accepts food and supply donations; just make sure to check the date on the food! Animals provide a support system for people experiencing homelessness and by following the resources provided below we can help support these animals.

Resources

Feeding Pets of the Homeless

https://petsofthehomeless.org/

    Donate: https://petsofthehomeless.org/?form=donate2023

    Volunteer: https://petsofthehomeless.org/help-us/become-a-recruiter/

Homeless Oregon Pet Project

https://www.homelessoregonpetproject.org/

    Donate: https://www.homelessoregonpetproject.org/donate/

    Volunteer: https://www.homelessoregonpetproject.org/volunteer/


References

Kerman, N., Gran-Ruaz, S., & Lem, M. (2019). Pet ownership and homelessness: A scoping review. Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, 28(2), 106-114. https://doi.org/10.1080/10530789.2019.1650325

King, C., Smith, T. J., Kabrick, K., Dzur, A., & Grandin, T. (2024). Physical and behavioral health of dogs belonging to homeless people. Animal Welfare, 33. https://doi.org/10.1017/awf.2024.12

Ramirez, V., Frisbie, L., Robinson, J., & Rabinowitz, P. M. (2022). The impact of pet ownership on healthcare-seeking behavior in individuals experiencing homelessness. Anthrozoös, 35(5), 615-632. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2022.2042082

Rhoades, H., Winetrobe, H., & Rice, E. (2014). Pet ownership among homeless youth: Associations with mental health, service utilization and housing status. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 46(2), 237-244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-014-0463-5

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