Recent research by the University of Southern California shows that homeless people with pets are placed into permanent residences more often than those without companion animals, according to an April 15 announcement. The study did not examine the reasons for this difference, but the findings may be significant for animal lovers seeking shelter.
The topic is important as it highlights a potential link between pet ownership and access to stable housing among unhoused individuals. This could influence how shelters and housing programs address barriers faced by those with companion animals.
At Bridges on Broadway, a permanent supportive housing facility in downtown Eugene, Mary Wragge prepared to walk her dog Sadie. Wragge said she had kept her pet a secret until she was ready to move in. “She sounds a lot more scary than she is,” Wragge said about Sadie. She has lived at Bridges on Broadway since October after being homeless for 17 years.
Camryn Leland, permanent supportive housing manager for Homes for Good, said many residents at Bridges on Broadway have companion animals that are screened for compatibility and health requirements. Leland offered an explanation for the study’s findings: “There’s a lot of day shelters and programs that may make it harder for individuals with companion animals to stay long term,” Leland said. “So our community supports and shelters work on prioritizing those folks into triage systems that support them getting into permanent housing a little bit sooner.” She added, “I think they’re just bypassing some of the temporary shelters and day shelters that are providing barriers around allowing pets, so that’s probably what we’re seeing.”
Wragge described having Sadie as emotionally rewarding: “Y’know, having a pet is good for you, it’s good for your heart. And they love you back as much as you love them.” Leland also recognized benefits: “As an administrator working in these rehousing programs, seeing the power and the benefit of having companion animals and the healing effects of these animals, it’s important for us to consider how we make it possible for people to have pets.”
The presence of pets among unhoused populations may encourage further adjustments in shelter policies or program priorities going forward.
