Help Homeless People & Pets Stay Warm This Winter
Donation protected
it's going to be a long cold winter, and I refuse to continue to walk past any homeless person any further and ignore how my heart and mind feels, and even moreso those with a pet.
this weekend I saw a beautiful St Bernard Dog keeping his homeless owner company both on dirty worn blankets amidst blistering cold, I stopped and asked him if they both had a shelter, he said no, I asked him if he would like a tent for them both, his eyes lit up and he said 'yes please'.. how can I return to a warm home and not think about them both?
I'm a devoted animal lover, and so are many of you, did you know that that between 5-10% of homeless people have pets, with dogs the most common animal.
You may pass a homeless person with a pet and ask 'why do homeless people own pets? And should homeless people have pets at all?'
The reason why homeless people own a pet is companionship and mental health benefits, This can be particularly important for the most vulnerable in society. Other reasons are more unique to those who find themselves on the streets; safety and security, for example.
Having a pet gives homeless people a reason to look after themselves, creating a sense of responsibility. One study in the US found a positive link between addiction management and pet ownership.
Another common misconception is the notion that pets provide extra benefits. While animals can encourage interaction and conversation, they are not used as an income generating tool. Rather, they are a reminder that anyone can love and cherish a pet no matter one’s life circumstances.
According to a survey by the Dogs Trust, two thirds of homeless dog owners are forced to live on the street because they can’t find somewhere to stay with their pet. Indeed, it is estimated that only 9 per cent of homeless hostels are dog friendly.
Pet ownership also complicates longer-term housing options. Considering 80 per cent of private sector landlords will not rent to homeless people as they are deemed to be ‘risky’ tenants, pet ownership makes the situation even harder.
For many who find themselves on the streets, however, housing feels like an insurmountable problem filled with hostility and judgement, in contrast to the love and companionship looking after a pet can provide.
I am wanting to hand out waterproof warm tents this winter so that homeless people with or without pets can benefit from shelter, I am wanting to give out as many tents and sleeping bags and blankets as I can gather funds for, every single penny will be used to buy tents and blankets and sleeping bags, we will film the purchase an distribution of these for you all to see and enjoy ...
For the cost of take away meal, you can give a warm shelter this winter to a homeless person and a furry friend, please... help?
this weekend I saw a beautiful St Bernard Dog keeping his homeless owner company both on dirty worn blankets amidst blistering cold, I stopped and asked him if they both had a shelter, he said no, I asked him if he would like a tent for them both, his eyes lit up and he said 'yes please'.. how can I return to a warm home and not think about them both?
I'm a devoted animal lover, and so are many of you, did you know that that between 5-10% of homeless people have pets, with dogs the most common animal.
You may pass a homeless person with a pet and ask 'why do homeless people own pets? And should homeless people have pets at all?'
The reason why homeless people own a pet is companionship and mental health benefits, This can be particularly important for the most vulnerable in society. Other reasons are more unique to those who find themselves on the streets; safety and security, for example.
Having a pet gives homeless people a reason to look after themselves, creating a sense of responsibility. One study in the US found a positive link between addiction management and pet ownership.
Another common misconception is the notion that pets provide extra benefits. While animals can encourage interaction and conversation, they are not used as an income generating tool. Rather, they are a reminder that anyone can love and cherish a pet no matter one’s life circumstances.
According to a survey by the Dogs Trust, two thirds of homeless dog owners are forced to live on the street because they can’t find somewhere to stay with their pet. Indeed, it is estimated that only 9 per cent of homeless hostels are dog friendly.
Pet ownership also complicates longer-term housing options. Considering 80 per cent of private sector landlords will not rent to homeless people as they are deemed to be ‘risky’ tenants, pet ownership makes the situation even harder.
For many who find themselves on the streets, however, housing feels like an insurmountable problem filled with hostility and judgement, in contrast to the love and companionship looking after a pet can provide.
I am wanting to hand out waterproof warm tents this winter so that homeless people with or without pets can benefit from shelter, I am wanting to give out as many tents and sleeping bags and blankets as I can gather funds for, every single penny will be used to buy tents and blankets and sleeping bags, we will film the purchase an distribution of these for you all to see and enjoy ...
For the cost of take away meal, you can give a warm shelter this winter to a homeless person and a furry friend, please... help?
Organizer
Antonia Mariconda
Organizer
England
