Homelessness is an issue both complex and polarising. Our attitudes towards people facing homelessness often stem from assumptions about the character, background, and life choices of people without secure shelter: They are lazy. They are addicted to drugs. They choose to be homeless. They shouldn’t have pets. Myths like these are too easily perpetuated and make it difficult to raise awareness and inspire action on behalf of the homeless community. Yet much of the stigma can be dispelled simply by taking some time to get to know the person behind the preconception. Any attempt to address homelessness must begin with the question: who are the homeless?
It’s fair to assume is that our primary concerns at Pets of The Homeless (POTH) can be understood from our name: we help people who are homeless and their pets live together as best they can. Yet the term ‘homeless’ conjures images of cardboard boxes, park benches and soup lines without actually revealing much about the broad scope of people experiencing housing insecurity. Who exactly we help can be unclear.
The term ‘homeless’ is in of itself a general word and does not always highlight the broad scope of people experiencing insecure shelter
To be homeless is not only to sleep rough, but this type – Primary Homelessness – is the sort most of us are accustomed to seeing. People sleeping rough are often forced to spend the night in highly populated areas (like a city CBD) for safety and familiarity. POTH works to help people and their pet companions facing tough conditions on the streets, but we also offer assistance to those experiencing less visible forms of homelessness and poverty.
We help couch surfers with pets and those who move from one temporary shelter to another often (including those living in their cars). This Secondary Homelessness can occur simply from a lack of pet-friendly and affordable accommodation, with many being forced to choose between adequate housing and their companion animal. Can you imagine having to give up either your best friend or the roof over your head?
Similarly, POTH works with people living in medium to long term boarding houses with little security, known as Tertiary Homelessness. We also supply food and veterinary care to pet owners with shelter but who are living below the poverty line and struggling with the costs of a pet. In doing this we try to address all forms of homelessness and poverty, because the nature of the problem means that people and their pets can too easily slip from Tertiary to Primary Homelessness if not supported at crucial points.
We also help supply food and veterinary attention to those with shelter but who are living below the poverty line
Homeless or not, having a pet costs time and money. But like any happy pet owner, we feel the rewards far outweigh the costs. We also believe that everyone has the right to the comfort and emotional support of a pet. Some may think supporting pet owners who seemingly struggle to look after themselves is hardly worth the trouble. But both our experience with homeless communities and the independent research which exists on homelessness and companion animals show it’s most definitely worth the trouble.
One great benefit of pet ownership for people facing homelessness is the increased opportunity for sociability. This counters the heightened risk of social exclusion faced by homeless populations, as they are often seen as being less than or somehow not relatable to those not homeless. A companion animal is a valuable social enabler, facilitating the normal meet-and-greet between pets and newcomers. Most people just love talking to pets, and welcome the opportunity to approach and connect with someone they might otherwise have walked right past.
With the social exclusion of homelessness often comes isolation and loneliness, but companion animals are well known for combating these effects. The Australian Companion Animal Council found in a 2009 study that 81% people never felt alone with their pet and, with the increased social interactions one experiences from having a pet, the social benefits are clear. Furthermore, companion animals have also been found to have a positive psychological effect on their owners, with a Griffith University study finding that pets can reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Their unconditional love is never more in need than by people who are homeless.
Companion animals have also been found to have a positive psychological effect on their owners
But perhaps one of the key benefits of pet ownership for homeless people is the sense of responsibility afforded by looking after a pet. Being relied upon is important for self-esteem, and might even make the difference between merely surviving on the streets and successfully integrating back into the community.
The bedrock motivation for POTH is the immeasurable difference it makes to everyone when their pets are fed and well looked after – people facing hardship being no exception. In understanding the benefits companion animals can offer, it’s clear that helping those who are homeless to keep their pets is as much part preserving the humanity of vulnerable members of our community as it is loving animals.
Written by Nicholas Corbett and edited by Kara Smith
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