Who here like me has walked by a homeless person with an animal and either felt sorry for the homeless pet or wondered whether the animal was just a way for the homeless person to get more money panhandling? These are two common ways the public thinks about homeless pet ownership. Many people even go as far as to cut the leash and take the dog to give them a better life. Police have even been known to take dogs from the homeless if they do not have the correct proof of ownership forms. I recently came across an article that broke down this criticism of dogs with homeless owners and explained some new study findings. The study suggested that homeless pet owners who stay with their pets are less likely to suffer from depression while on the streets. With only about nine percent of shelters catering to dog owners these homeless populations who do not wish to separate from their dog usually end up on the street. While dogs aid their owner’s mental health they also serve a vehicle for motivation for the owner to get their pet and themselves off the streets. So maybe next time you see a homeless person with a pet you may think differently about the pet’s purpose and the owner’s intention. Perhaps there should be more shelters aimed at homeless pet owners. Take a look at the interesting article and tell me what you think!

https://www.good.is/articles/homeless-people-pets-bias