Last year, New York city opened its first pet-inclusive homeless shelter
By Faye Beard
Christine Kim, MSW, knows well the choice many unhoused individuals face when deciding to keep their pets with them—no matter what.
“Many people experiencing homelessness are even more deeply attached to their animals than people who have homes,” Kim told NASW. Kim is the founder of My Dog Is My Home, a nonprofit that works to ensure that unhoused “human-animal families” have safe, low-barrier co-sheltering and co-housing options. “Their animals may be their only consistent source of support and companionship.”
She and social workers like her are leading the charge to keep the human-animal bound intact. She warned that surrendering pets to animal shelters could be a death sentence: “Even no-kill shelters may euthanize dogs who struggle with certain behavioral issues.”
More than 90 percent of unhoused individuals said that housing would be unacceptable if pets were not allowed, according to an article in Psychological Reports.
On the streets, the human-animal relationship has proven to be a vital one. The National Alliance to End Homelessness states that animal companionship encourages unhoused individuals to obtain sobriety, leave abusive relationships, and avoid incarceration. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals even credits pet ownership with being a lifesaver by providing unhoused residents with a sense of responsibility, motivating individuals to seek healthcare, and giving them a reason to live.
Last year, New York City opened Uplift Families Residence, its first pet-inclusive homeless shelter. The 587-bed transitional housing facility in the Bronx was a joint effort of the city’s Department of Homeless Services and the Urban Resource Initiative (URI). While innovative, this was not a new concept for URI, a social-worker-led nonprofit. It partnered with the city’s Human Resources Administration to launch a 2013 program for survivors of domestic abuse known as PALS, an acronym for People and Animals Living Safely. Now PALS has 11 shelters across New York serving 600 families and 800 pets.
A decade of research from the PALS program has revealed that 50 percent of people would not leave abusive homes without their pets, explained URI CEO Nathan Fields, MSW. “Being able to take their pet with them is critical in rebuilding their lives.” He said that “by prioritizing the needs of homeless families and their pets, we are creating a more inclusive and compassionate shelter system that reflects the diverse needs of our communities.”
Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness for women and families, Kim said, adding that other causes include natural disasters, health challenges, affordable housing shortage or other traumatic circumstances.
“Social workers can help unhoused pet owners in a myriad of ways,” said Danielle Works, community events manager at RedRover, an animal-welfare nonprofit that encourages a co-sheltering model. Her recommendations include:
- Distributing pet food, toys, leashes, collars, and flea and tick repellent at community pantries
- Inviting local animal welfare organizations, veterinary providers, and mobile groomers to community outreach events
- Providing animal safety and behavior training to outreach staff to ensure that they can make safe connections with unhoused individuals who have pets
- Learning about local pet-related laws, restrictions, and ADA and FHA protections regarding emotional support and service animals to assist clients with reasonable accommodation requests
The team at Project Street Vet recognizes that unhoused people often care for their pets before caring for themselves. Dr. Kwane Stewart estimated that he had treated more than 1,000 pets on the street before he launched his nonprofit charity in 2020. The veterinarian targets high-homeless areas primarily in Los Angeles and San Diego to offer free medical services to the pets of unhoused residents. “No judgment, just help” is the motto driving Dr. Stewart’s efforts, which earned him the 2023 CNN Hero of the Year award.
Feeding Pets of the Homeless founder Genevieve Frederick also stressed the necessity of supporting the well-being of the animals. Since 2008, the national nonprofit organization has helped more than 31,000 pets; paid more than $6 million in veterinary bills at time of service; and distributed more than two million pounds of pet food. The organization also ships collapsible sleeping crates to homeless shelters that allow pets. Netizens can input their zip code on the organization’s website to find nearby food, supplies, resources and pet-friendly shelters.
At My Dog is My Home, they—along with many other professionals and volunteers fighting to keep “human-animal families” together—believe that one’s paycheck or address does not determine their ability to love and care for an animal. They “envision a world where people can choose who is in their family and where they want to live.”
Faye Beard is a freelance writer based in New York City.
