The health and welfare of dogs belonging to homeless people

Abstract

<p style="margin-bottom: 0.46cm; line-height: 150%; widows: 0; orphans: 0;"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype,serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype,serif;"><span lang="en-GB">A significant number of homeless people own dogs, with these animals contributing to the well-being of their owners by providing emotional support and in many cases, a reason for living as well as acting as what might be termed a social catalyst improving bonds between their owners. Yet many consider that homeless people should not be allowed, let alone encouraged to keep a dog. They consider that living with a homeless people must have a negative impact on the dog’s health and welfare compared to that of a dog owned by people with a home. Here we sought to determine the health and welfare of dogs owned by homeless people, comparing 50 dogs owned by homeless people with 50 owned by people living in a home. In contradistinction to the negative view noted above, we found that dogs owned by homeless people were healthy animals, less likely to be obese, had fewer behaviour issues such as aggression to strangers and separation anxiety when compared to dogs owned by people living in a conventional home. We suggest that these findings should be taken into account when deciding whether a homeless person with a dog should be allowed into a hostel, and indeed the general attitude of the public to homeless people living with a dog by their side on the street</span></span></span></span></p>

Human–Animal Relationships and Social Work: Opportunities Beyond the Veterinary Environment

“…Because the vast majority of homeless shelters do not allow pets, these restrictions deter pet owners from seeking essential shelter (O’Reilly-Jones, 2019 ). Many individuals who live on the street keep pets, primarily dogs, for emotional support, safety, a sense of responsibility, to combat loneliness (Labrecque & Walsh, 2011 ; Williams & Hogg, 2016 ; Arnott, 2004 ), and as social catalysts to attract passers-by who may offer them money (Irvine, Kahl, & Smith, 2012 ; Anderson, Snow, & Cress, 1994 ).…”

A Multilevel Intervention Framework for Supporting People Experiencing Homelessness with Pets

“…Drawing from practical experience, there is also a prominent discourse that “Having a pet is a privilege and not a right” and “If you can’t afford a pet, you shouldn’t have one.” Views that involve animal well-being concerns are unsupported by evidence. A study examining the health of 50 dogs owned by people experiencing homelessness found that they were no less healthy than 50 dogs owned by people with housing [ 87 ]. Furthermore, the dogs of people experiencing homelessness were less likely to be obese or have behavioral issues, such as aggression toward strangers and separation anxiety.…”

“…Furthermore, the dogs of people experiencing homelessness were less likely to be obese or have behavioral issues, such as aggression toward strangers and separation anxiety. There is also ample evidence that the pets of people experiencing homelessness are sufficiently fed, with many pet owners putting the needs of their pets above their own [ 28 , 44 , 47 , 87 , 88 ]. Beyond the concern for animal well-being, public disapproval of pet ownership by people experiencing homelessness results from stigmatization and discrimination.…”

Homeless People and Their Dogs: Exploring the Nature and Impact of the Human–Companion Animal Bond

“…The importance of these dogs to their owners is shown by their welfare. Notwithstanding the rigors of poverty and rough sleeping, the limited data available suggest that most aspects of welfare are generally at least as good in homeless-owned dogs as in conventionally owned dogs (Scanlon, 2017, February;Williams & Hogg, 2015).…”