Should homeless people have a dog?

[mysteryowl]

I see this on occasion that a homeless person has a dog. They typically are about 40-50 lb dogs.
I have compassion for the homeless person and the dog. How can a homeless person take care of a dog?

(If this is not a good topic for the lounge, let me know.)

[hlthe2b]

1. There are volunteer veterinarians and animal care charities that often supply services

in many communities, including vaccinating and other routine care and helping provide dog food. Sometimes they pair up with homeless medical clinics to serve both the person and the dog.

For some homeless that is the only lifeline they have and (at least in Denver) I frequently saw these dogs seemingly well cared for. They were generally reasonably clean, kept leashed for the most part, and seemingly fairly well nourished. Obviously, there are exceptions, but I've donated dog food and $$ to these groups and I feel good doing so.

So, my answer is a resounding YES. Enough has been lost by those who are homeless. Unless they are abusing their dog (which I really believe to be rare), I say give them a chance. Many an "owned" dog in a home has suffered a far worse life chained in the heat or cold with little food or water. In my anecdotal experience, this does not happen often with the homeless that dote on their companion dog.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

2. I would bet most dogs would rather be wandering the streets with a person

who takes at least reasonable care of them ... as opposed to being stuck in a kennel, and possibly not even alive anymore because they were put down.

I understand how it feels like a quandary but at least until every shelter is a 'no-kill' one I think it's fair to dogs to be cared for be a homeless person. Esp. if they had the dog before they were homeless.

AFA the person goes, I think it's good for them in many ways, although I can imagine in some cases the possession of the dog might preclude them from getting shelter indoors in some cases.

Its not an easy question on a lot of levels but I wouldn't want to take a homeless person's dog away except under some specific conditions.

[Thunderbeast]

3. "But I can't take my dog"

A leading reason/excuse for the homeless to refuse safe, clean shelter.

Not a good enough reason for me. Folks are fleeing my wonderful city as every sidewalk is becoming a slum favella. I have great sympathy for the houseless, but if alternatives are available, their rights to camp and crap on the sidewalk is forfeited. Having a dog is no excuse for selecting the "lifestyle".

[hlthe2b]

4. OMG

I can not believe your post. I'll just leave it at that.

[Deuxcents]

5. Nor can I.

I’ll say heartless n leave it at that.

[Thunderbeast]

8. You clearly sense my frustration

I am not alone, nor am I a heartless citizen.

However....

When children can not go to a playground without human and canine feces on the lawn, my rights to be safe in a public park are impaired.

When I can't walk on a sidewalk because an encampment (complete with a mountain of trash and remnants of a bicycle "chop shop" ) send me into the street, I am not safe. When that same camp has a couple of snarling pit bulls, I really take issues with out-sized sympathies for the dogs AND their owners.

We need safe, affordable housing, higher minimum wages, mental health and addiction services, and the willingness to pay for it. The CHOICE to live on the streets must be removed. Our communities can not afford the negative consequences.

Sorry, but buying bags of dog food and providing vet services is enabling a codependent relationship.

[hlthe2b]

9. You only make it worse. Good gawd.

How did you end up on DU?

[Thunderbeast]

12. How Did I end up on DU?

By marching on the Federal Courthouse when I was 11 to protest the
Mississippi murders in 1963.

By knocking on doors trying to elect Robert Kennedy when I was in High school.

By helping pass the nation's first bottle Bill.

By working in Birmingham 's black neighborhood running a summer recreation program in the 70s.

By helping re-settle Vietnamese families living in refugee camps when the war ended.

By serving as a Democratic Precinct Committeeman.

By sending thousands of dollars in support of racial justice, mental health, and environmental causes.

BTW...My daughter's Australian Blue Healer adores me.

You may not like my pragmatic views on dogs and the homeless...but...

You MAY NOT challenge my liberal values with your "How Did you end up on DU?" comment. I have the receipts.

[hlthe2b]

13. Then what the hell happened?

I can't tell your comments about the homeless from the callous ones of our opponents.

[Skittles]

19. perhaps

you could direct your energies into helping the homeless

[mysteryowl]

6. I live in a cold climate and I have seen dogs limping

and I was assuming frostbite. I have seen it a couple times and I try to go after them with my car to offer help, but the homeless person and dog know ways to disappear and quickly. As soon as I turn my car around to find them, I can't. They both needed help and the dog needed a vet.

[hlthe2b]

7. I'll be honest with you. Living in Colorado, I see that frequently among my neighbors--

all who don't bother to avoid the ice or put booties on the little dogs or most importantly avoid the burning salt put down to de-ice the sidewalks with cold chills in the negative double digits. In summer, some will take the dogs in 90plus degree weather to farmer's markets and other similar events where the concrete/asphalt can literally burn through their pads in minutes. By your metric, I would never get off the phone for reporting my neighbors' stupidity/insensitivity. I do try to talk with them, however.

It is not just a homeless problem, but it seems they are a convenient target. sigh...

If you want to help, educate yourself on services available in your community to help both human and dog and provide them that information. You'd be amazed at how receptive they can be to a little kindness, conversation, and yes, help. The dog is a great excuse to do so.

[MuseRider]

10. Should homeless dogs have people?

I say yes all around. We all need each other and we need something to live for. I cannot imagine taking that away from anyone. There is always help for the animals, always someone who might not help a person who would help a pet. Hard to figure that but it is what it is. I know places that give out free pet food around here. It seems the perfect solution when nothing else has happened good in someone's life. I pet who loves them and needs them. It just might save both their lives. Win Win

[cate94]

11. You know these homeless folks

Had dogs before they ended up on the street. So would you give up a family member because times got tough? Actually, I think a homeless person with a dog is trying to live up to their responsibility. Give them help.

[Worried2020]

14. I suspect that the homeless treat their dogs better than the rest of us do.

.

'nuff said



W

[Chainfire]

15. For some, their dogs are their only friends in the world.

I would certainly not begrudge them their companions.

[Me.]

16. It Has Been Noted THat Homeless People Will Feed Their Dogs Before THemselves

There have also been stories of owners surrendering their dogs when they can no longer care for them. Heartbreaking.

[wnylib]

17. I'm thinking about the homless man and his dog

in Day After Tomorrow, and wondering, "Why not?"

[luv2fly]

18. Lots of people with homes shouldn't have a dog

Love is love regardless of where people live.

[Ocelot II]

20. Yes.

Having a dog makes their life suck a little less. Same for the dog.