How New York City Can Help Homeless Pet Owners
by Jenny Coffey, LMSW | Animal Haven for helpNYC
It’s not uncommon to pass a homeless person while walking from one location to another in New York City. They reside on street corners, on subway platforms, in parks as frequently as alleyways. Most passer-byers heading to work or going home rarely take notice of seeing such hardship and many turn a blind eye because the sightings are considered just another part of the gritty landscape of New York.
When the person has an animal, though, more people take notice. For a lot of folks, it can be shocking and disturbing when they pass a homeless person with a dog. They may think it’s okay for the person to be on the street but worry about the animal. They may also wonder if abuse or neglect is in play. Sometimes, the person will offer a few dollars to help the animal or give pet food. In large part, the homeless person remains invisible, and the focus is on the animal and their possible unmet needs. The passer-byer leaves with little understanding of what happened to this pair, their reasons for being on the street, and the multiple obstacles they face because of their unique circumstance.
Animal Haven’s Community Engagement program responds to calls for help regarding homeless pet owners regularly and provides support whenever possible. A few recent stories stand out. Last month, Ms. M was kicked out of her apartment following a personal dispute and tried to enter the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) PATH — Women’s Intake shelter. She was quickly turned away along with her poodle, Angel, because she showed up with an animal. Never mind that she had a letter documenting a significant disability and her need for the dog. Ms. M was simply barred from entering the emergency shelter and instead, handed a list of animal shelters to call.
In another case in April, Mr. D tried to hide his dog, Trix, at his shelter for several months until the dog was discovered by case workers. Eventually Mr. D was given the ultimatum by the program’s director to remove the dog or lose his shelter bed. While Mr. D found someone to watch Trix, the absence of the dog left him depressed and unable to function. And then, there is Ms. E, a young woman who was homeless and residing in a local park. She died with her dog clipped to her waist. In each of these scenarios, the City’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS) proved to be unprepared and unwilling to assist these pet owners with their unique needs, further marginalizing this group and creating barriers for them to receive help.
No one knows exactly how many pet owners experience homelessness in New York City. Nationally, it has been recorded that as many as 10% of the homeless population have pets at any one time but there is no official known number. The presence of animals is not documented in annual head-counts of the homeless and pet owners are largely turned away at City homeless shelters if they show up with their animal. The pet owners are told that pets are restricted from entering shelters and instead are universally directed to place the animals somewhere else before entering the facility. What happens next only adds to the tragedy since most people in crisis (homeless or not) are unwilling to relinquish their animals, even temporarily. Instead of accessing shelter, homeless pet owners become further marginalized, ride the subways late into the night, hide from the authorities, and stay in substandard encampments. These dangerous environments increase the possibility that the individuals, and their animals, could be injured, lost, or even die.
In the last decade the pet industry, with sales reaching nearly $100 billion annually, has significantly invested in promoting the benefits of having pets. More recently, they highlight the concept that pets are members of the family. “Life is better with pets” is the message extending well beyond traditional sales for dog and cat food to commercials for vehicles, fashion, and luxury brands. Most pet owners would likely agree that their animal brings unexpected value. These benefits are numerous when things are going well but when finances are tight and specifically for vulnerable people, the worth of the pet does not evaporate when there are limited resources. Likely, the relationship between the pet and person becomes stronger during emergencies and difficult times. This is especially true for pet owners who are older, for those suffering from medical or mental health concerns, and for isolated individuals. In large part, the animal serves not only as a pet but a companion, security, and a friend when they have been abandoned by others.
Homeless pet owners in New York City fall into numerous categories. They include individuals, families, younger people as well as older adults, veterans, and, overwhelmingly, people with medical and mental health concerns. Some have lost their homes due to lack of employment, a family dispute, domestic violence, the death of a bill-paying partner, a severe illness, a fire, or another terrible emergency. COVID19 has likely further increased the number of people who have become homeless who never had formal leases or were living in unofficial units. Typically, before reaching the street or entering shelter, some pet owners couch surf, stay with family or friends in overcrowded apartments, live out of their cars, or make do in second-rate accommodations that allow animals. Overwhelmingly, the goal of pet owners is to stay with their animals during a crisis.
Under the 1979 “Right to Shelter” law, New York City is required to provide emergency shelter to every unhoused person who qualifies. The goal of this legislation was to ensure everyone had access to housing. Because animals are prohibited from DHS shelters, pet owners are restricted from accessing this critical help. Despite efforts to increase shelter and implement “trauma informed care” practices to people with substance use disorder, criminal backgrounds, and disruptive behavior, homeless pet owners continue to be denied assistance. DHS does report that they permit Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals but owners must be able to prove their disability and the need for these animals by applying for Reasonable Accommodation. This process can be lengthy and bureaucratic and if the request is approved, pet owners report being further marginalized by their shelter staff.
Animal Haven’s Community Engagement staff aims to introduce promising practices throughout New York City that address both human welfare and animal welfare for vulnerable populations. The program’s efforts focus on developing innovative collaborations between organizations specifically to address unmet needs. The most successful partnership is now with Urban Resource Institute (URI), a leading domestic violence program. URI currently champions their co-sheltering program that allows clients to bring animals to the shelter, so they do not have to choose between their own safety and their pets. The program started nearly a decade ago has already assisted hundreds of individuals, families, and beloved animals. While the emergency shelter can last up to six months, this program shows that co-sheltering can occur with few disruptions, that it can save lives, and it is possible in New York City.
Before DHS can provide services to pet owners, the agency must be open to wanting to help this population, be committed to lifting barriers to emergency shelter, and be understanding of each pet owner’s unique needs. DHS leadership, together with frontline staff, must be ready to extend compassion and accept a pet owner’s desire to remain with their animals during a housing crisis. In doing so, they can establish policies and protocols that aim to keep people and pets safe in these environments. By adapting programs and addressing unmet needs, DHS can help more people and reduce homelessness.
Jenny Coffey, LMSW, is the director of Animal Haven’s Community Engagement Program. As a licensed social worker she has spent more than fifteen years bridging the fields of social work and animal welfare. Her professional goal is to lift barriers for vulnerable pet owners so that they don’t have to choose between keeping their pets and accessing services.
With support by Dameria Hutabarat-Charles, Communications Associate at helpNYC.
This article appears as apart of helpNYC’s sponsorship of the the 2021 #JulyHomelessRights campaign promoted by the Homeless Rights Coalition which includes those who have lived experience being homeless in New York City, and organizations that support New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.
