What possible use is a dog when you’re penniless without a roof over your head? It hints of a self-inflicted wound when a homeless person has been turned away from every single nearby shelter, none of which include the pets of their potential clients1.
Nevertheless, observation suggests that in spite of the cost of pet ownership (food, visits to a vet, etc.) companionship of a dog can provide health benefits for someone without housing2. And that includes the cost of rough sleeping.
Is the head shaking, tut-tutting censorship from passers-by an appropriate commentary on the folly of the homeless and their pet(s)? Here’s a recent study, which concludes that it’s not romantic foolhardy behaviour for those who can’t afford it. There are tangible mutual support benefits for both the penniless tail-wagging caretaker and their human companions. Read more from the University of BRISTOL: Dogs provide critical support for homeless people, study finds
Footnotes
- Pet acceptance at a shelter can happen, but it’s rare. Try: I Wouldn’t Leave A Dog Out On A Night Like This. Not Alone, Anyway
- Try: A Homeless Man Pays Homage To His Pets, and Homeless Man: I’d Sacrifice My Health Rather Than Abandon My Dog
