Benefits and Liabilities of Pets for the Homeless

Abstract

Observations in the streets and parks of San Francisco East Bay cities and suburbs suggested that many of the homeless people own and maintain pet animals in spite of circumstances and environmental conditions. Accordingly, 105 homeless adult men and women, half of whom owned pets, were interviewed for this pilot study. Responses indicated that homeless pet-owners were extremely attached to their pets and had owned significantly more pets during childhood and adolescence than nonowners although there were no significant differences in attachment to pets between parents and nonparents or between married and single persons. Providing food and veterinary care for pets, however, was a very significant problem for the majority of the homeless pet-owners. It was clear that many homeless adults did have pets which were important for their mental and physical health and that pet care was associated with unique problems.

Companion animals in palliative care: Stories from the bedside

“…1 Dog ownership helps prevent and mitigate everyday stress, 2 and pets in general decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation. 3 One study showed that persons with AIDS who had pets experience significantly less stress and depression than their counterparts. 4 Children exposed to companion animals show more prosocial behavior and enhanced empathy for other humans.…”

Homeless People who are Animal Caretakers: A Comparative Study

“…Three of the four studies agree that homeless individuals' attachments to their animals are stronger than those of the general population (Kidd & Kidd, 1994;Singer, et al, 1995;Taylor, Williams, & Gray, 2004). Kidd and Kidd (1994) found that homeless people caring for animals were extremely attached to their companion animals and viewed them as their only sources of love and companionship.…”

“…Three of the four studies agree that homeless individuals' attachments to their animals are stronger than those of the general population (Kidd & Kidd, 1994;Singer, et al, 1995;Taylor, Williams, & Gray, 2004). Kidd and Kidd (1994) found that homeless people caring for animals were extremely attached to their companion animals and viewed them as their only sources of love and companionship. In some cases, homeless individuals view these human-animal relationships as a source of protection (Kidd & Kidd, 1994;Rew, 2000) and as a means of socially connecting with the general public (Kidd & Kidd, 1994;Taylor, et al, 2004).…”

The Development of an Enhanced Extension Agent Training to Create Butterfly Gardens in Louisiana

“…A pilot study conducted interviews with 105 homeless adult men and women, half of whom owned pets, to assess the benefits and liabilities of owning a pet (Kidd and Kidd 1994). Although providing food and veterinary care for pets was a problem, many respondents noted the importance of pets for their mental health in terms of companionship, friendship and love as well as positive impacts on their physical health (Kidd and Kidd 1994).…”