Staying on the Streets to Stay with Companion Animals

by Stephanie Ernst · 2008-12-20 06:39:00 UTC
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Shannon Moriarty, Change.org's End Homelessness blogger, just published a post titled "Choosing Pets Over Shelter."

How do you choose between shelter and a best friend? This is the impossible decision pet-lovers face when losing their homes. Since most shelters don't allow animals, homeless people with pets often elect to stay on the streets rather than part with their four-legged companion... a decision that can be dangerous when the elements become harsh.

Indeed, pets can be a key reason that homeless people choose living on the streets over shelters. The National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that between five and ten percent of homeless people have an animal companion (although this has never been formally surveyed). Yet, only two (yes, just 2!) pet-friendly homeless shelters exist in the United States (in Florida and California).

Continue reading.

Stephanie Ernst wrote the original Animal Rights blog at Change.org until December 2009. She can now be found at Animal Rights & AntiOppression.
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