Emergency Veterinary Care for Pets of the Homeless

The issue of homelessness is foremost on my mind probably because we work with people experiencing homelessness daily.

For those not familiar with Point in Time (PIT) count data that is reported to Congress every year, it is a way for agencies and cities to see if homeless has increased or decreased. The report is lengthy. Here is a link to a summary. Here you can find more in-depth reports. Unfortunately, the counts do not include questions regarding pets.

More and more cities are refusing to publicly release their PIT count, which makes the report inaccurate. In the years that I have been watching these reports, it occurs to me and others that the count is flawed. Many homeless move into hiding for fear of arrest or are mentally ill and paranoid about interacting with people.

The explanation for homelessness is complicated, every person experiencing homelessness has a story. We do not ask for their story but sometimes they want an ear.

The public perception is mental illness and/or addictions are the causes of homelessness. But there is so much more at play….

Economic: inadequate or irregular work hours, unemployment, lack of benefits, spouse overseas or incarcerated, subsidized housing wait lists (that can be years long), substandard housing, foreclosure, rent burden, high application fees, lack of affordable house, overcrowding lease violation, lack of safety net, Illegal evictions, debt, utility security deposits, car troubles, repo, fraud/theft, lack of bank access, eviction records, debt collectors’ practices, storage unit woes, access to food and food costs.

Personal: family issues of divorce, lack of childcare, generational poverty, LGBTQA, aging to 18 in foster care, unplanned pregnancy, caretaker, partner, spouse dies/leaves, no access to care or meds, chronic illness, disabilities, race discrimination, hoarding, no insurance, health crisis, trauma, violence, abuse.

Circumstances: natural disasters, red tape bureaucracy, gentrification, high mobility, lack of internet and computer, lack of social network, lack transportation, dangerous neighborhood, inadequate schools.

Legal: prison record, immigration, tickets, fines, sex offender

Having a pet while being homeless may offer comfort, warmth, and protection. Still, the challenges of obtaining shelter in the cold or heat, locating pet food, and getting veterinary help when the pet is ill or injured can be overwhelming.

Most homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters do not allow pets. Food banks are low on pet food. Many veterinary hospitals will not offer free care. This is where we come in. We have five programs that provide people experiencing homelessness with pets the help to get pet food and veterinary care.

With your support, we can provide for these fur babies. The pets that mean so much to their people, their family. The love is evident in the many homeless we speak to every day.

Links:

• Feeding Pets of the Homeless