Feeding Pets Of The Homeless
I receive messages everyday letting me know about wonderful organizations around the country.
Unfortunately I’m not able to post about them all, but I received information about Pets Of The Homeless and wanted to get the word out.
This organization is different than most of the others I have posted on, it focuses on keeping pets with their homeless owners by providing pet food.
It is estimated by the National Coalition for the Homeless that between 5% to 10% of homeless people have dogs and/or cats. In some areas of the country the rate is as high as 24%.
Most people who experience homelessness are homeless for a short period of time, and usually need help finding housing or a rent subsidy. But unfortunately for those with pets it becomes more difficult.
Many are forced to choose between their pet or a roof over their head. Surprisingly, most choose to stay on the streets with their pets for longer periods of time.
Their pets are nonjudgmental, providing comfort, an emotional bond of loyalty. In some cases they provide the homeless with protection and keep them warm. The tragic part is that the pets of the homeless do not choose their owners.
Pets Of The Homeless collects pet food and delivers it to food banks which have agreed to work with them.
They also collect cash donations, distribute grant applications to veterinarians, and other nonprofit organizations that meet their objectives.
Being homeless is hard enough, no one should have to lose their best friend because they can’t afford food. To donate pet food in your community check to see if a local collection site is listed.
If not, take an extra can or bag of pet food to your local veterinarian or another business and ask him/her to enroll so you and others in your community can help feed the pets of homeless and disadvantaged.
Thank you so much for this post!
How weird that I was just thinking about this today…for bringing light to situations we don’t always think about.
Every town, city, etc should have at least one homeless pet food place. I’d support it in my area. I’ve seen homeless people with pets, it is usually men. And I have stopped and given them money to feed them and their pets.
thanks for the info, I know that I could not part with my baby if I were in that situation.
Thank you for this article. I have seen homeless with pets in many parts of the world and this is something that has worried me very much. I am happy that there are organizations to help the pets as well as the humans.
It breaks my heart to see these people on the street with their pets, but it also bothers me to some extent. Mainly due to the fact that they cannot take care of themselves, why keep the animal. I can’t imagine my life with out my two dogs, but I also couldn’t imagine depriving them of food and shelter because I became homeless. That person is being selfish. I understand that their animal is comfort a remind of what used to be, and a ray of hope that things can/will get better. That why they keep them. I don’t hate them, I just kinda wish they would put the animals needs above their personal desires/feelings…
Thanks so much for the info. I’m going to find out why our most popular food bank in Boise is not involved. Maybe they dog collect pet food, but not through this organization? Good info…got my thinking.
Yesterday I saw a panhandler with an unleashed dog he trained to wave and sit up and beg at approaching cars. It was heartbreaking and I am completely against using dogs to make money this way but I understand anyone’s need to have a loving pet.