It Is Cold Out There!!!

It Is Cold Out There!!!

Photo by Kirsten Bole

I saw her sitting at the corner holding a cardboard sign that read “Hungry and broke. Please help.” Her dog sits patiently and loyally by her side. You could see the strongest bond that could be found between the two souls who have nothing but love to give and share. Two outcasts living together in a complete harmony. I approached her and handed her some change. She nodded, pointed out my water bottle and asked: Could you please fill out my dog`s water bowl? Without hesitation I filled the water bowl and asked her if she needed anything else. She said she was hungry. After getting her to something to eat, I tried talking to her (she was not very much of a talker). Just because I live on the streets it does not mean that I do not take care of my dog properly, or I do not love her she said. We share everything, and unlike people like you I don`t leave my dog eight hours alone at home or at the backyard, she is with me all day, all night. If it`s cold I’ll put my coat over her before I put it over me. She`s my baby, she continued. I asked her where she was going to spend the night, in return she said I was asking too many questions “Have a good day”. I petted the gentle shepherd mix, I left, thinking what I could have done more. After that day I never saw her on that corner again, but the images would not leave my heart for days. Probably, you see homeless people like her on the streets every day.

It can be difficult for those of us who have always had a bed to sleep in and a roof over our head to understand how someone can become homeless. When we think about the homeless, we tend to picture someone scruffy panhandling on the street. It is important to remember that each homeless person is someone’s son or daughter, brother or sister, husband or wife, or father or mother. And how do you feel when you see a pup curled up next to someone who appears to be homeless? I worry about them both. I worry that the dog, just like the person, may not be getting enough food, water or medical attention.

In Canada, over 12,000 people are homeless on any given night. It is estimated by the National Coalition for the Homeless that 3.5 million people are homeless in the United States. 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%. For those with pets, finding pet food, shelter and other assistance is more difficult. According to Genevieve Frederick, founder of the nonprofit organization Feeding Pets of the Homeless, “the dogs provide the homeless with a connection with reality, they are loyal and provide the homeless with unconditional love and warmth as well as protection. The human pet bond is very real.” In a world of uncertainty and despair, a pet may be the only source of comfort for someone who faces night after night without real shelter or adequate food and clothing. Many of the homeless (up to 24%) are trying to take care of the discarded animals on the streets. For some, it is the only family they have. Very few shelters allow pets. Steve Goody, director of companion animal welfare at The Blue Cross, said: For many homeless people a pet is their only companion. Asking them to give up their dog to stay the night in a hostel or a shelter is like asking them to abandon their partner or best friend. “If they have to tie their dog up outside a hostel overnight most homeless people will not go in. Unfortunately, the vast majority of homeless shelters do not allow pets, forcing many homeless to choose between shelter and providing for their animals.

Photo by Tim Hulsizer

Feeding the Pets of the Homeless collects food through volunteer collection sites and delivers it to food pantries and soup kitchens that agree to distribute it to those in need. At these locations a person in need can receive a hot meal and a small bag of pet food for their pet. They have information on their site about getting involved with this program as a volunteer or veterinarian. Their Mission Statement is:

• Promoting to veterinarians and pet related businesses the importance of joining the program
• Speaking out on the issue of pets of homeless and the disadvantaged
• Campaigning to food distributing organizations the importance of distributing pet food to the less fortunate
• Providing grants to licensed veterinarians and other nonprofit organizations that meet our objectives to administer medical care to pets of the homeless.(For guidelines and application, please email info@petsofhomeless.org)

You could become a volunteer collection location and really make a contribution to this worthwhile cause.

Find a list of pet food collection sites in your community. http://www.petsofhomeless.com/members.htm#CAN If there isn’t a collection site near you, contact Feeding Pets of the Homeless to learn how to start one.

Never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.~

Love,

Pia