As the saying goes, a dog is a man’s best friend. This statement rings true for many in the homeless community. Having a companion animal gives many the sense of belonging, responsibility, and emotional well-being as they face homelessness. Local data shows that around 10% of those facing homelessness have either service animals, emotional support animals, or companion animals. However, even though a significant portion of those facing homelessness have animals, many shelters do not accommodate them, instead urging people to separate from them. In many cases the human-animal bond is so strong that people refuse to part with their animals, leaving them without access to shelter. On top of that, many other services only allow service animals, keeping many facing homelessness with animals from receiving other vital services. As we continue with our project of designing cost effective shelter, it is important we take into consideration the needs of those with animals. People need to feel that their shelter is safe to leave their furry friend as they access other services. This includes having a shelter that is secure and designed to keep them and their animal safe from the elements.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness and PetSmart Charities worked together to create the “Keeping People and Pets Together” resource back in 2020 to help shelters create policies and practices that can better support those who face homelessness with pets. If you or anyone you know is interested, you can read more about their work here.
-Alexandra Carlsson
No comments:
Post a Comment