Pet Ownership Among Homeless Youth: Associations with Mental Health, Service Utilization and Housing Status

Abstract

As many as 25% of homeless persons have pets. To our knowledge, pet ownership has not been studied quantitatively with homeless youth. This study examined pet ownership among 398 homeless youth utilizing two Los Angeles drop-in centers. Twenty-three percent of homeless youth had a pet. The majority of pet owners reported that their pets kept them company and made them feel loved; nearly half reported that their pets made it more difficult to stay in a shelter. Pet owners reported fewer symptoms of depression and loneliness than their non-pet owning peers. Pet ownership was associated with decreased utilization of housing and job-finding services, and decreased likelihood of currently staying in a shelter. These findings elucidate many of the positive benefits of pet ownership for homeless youth, but importantly highlight that pet ownership may negatively impact housing options. Housing and other services must be sensitive to the needs of homeless youth with pets.

Street-Involved Youth and Their Animal Companions—Stigma and Survival

“…According to Rhoades et al (2014), up to 25 % of America's homeless are pet owners, and of 398 homeless youth surveyed at two LA drop-in centres, 23 % were pet owners. Of these pet owners, just over 60 % were male, and 53 % of youth owned a dog (Rhoades et al 2014). In a Canadian study of 89 street-involved youth who owned a total of 121 pets, 58 % were male, and 43 % of the total number of pets owned were dogs.…”

Profiling a one-health model for priority populations

“…[1][2][3][4] They are commonly socially isolated and experience a significant lack of accessibility to health services such as preventive medical care, and dental care. 5,6 It is estimated that between 6% and 24% of homeless persons are pet-owners. 5 Health accessibility can be especially problematic for this population because they are more likely to forego their own needs to care for their pet(s).…”

“…5,6 It is estimated that between 6% and 24% of homeless persons are pet-owners. 5 Health accessibility can be especially problematic for this population because they are more likely to forego their own needs to care for their pet(s). 2,5,[7][8][9][10] For example, compared to the general homeless population, homeless petowners are less likely to access shelter, health care and social services because they cannot do so with their pets.…”

“…2,5,[7][8][9][10] For example, compared to the general homeless population, homeless petowners are less likely to access shelter, health care and social services because they cannot do so with their pets. 2,5,8,11 Homeless pet-owners typically share an incredibly strong bond with their pets. 11,12 This bond can be a potent motivator of healthrelated behaviour change.…”

“…11,12 This bond can be a potent motivator of healthrelated behaviour change. 2,5,9,11,13 For instance, pet-owners have been found to be more motivated to quit smoking once they understand the impact of second-hand smoke on their pets. 13 In other cases, individuals have ceased substance abuse, or begun seeking medical treatment for chronic illness, because of the responsibility they felt towards their animals.…”