The one thing missing from our efforts to help the homeless and those who live on the streets or in homeless encampments are the pets. Where do they fit in this puzzle?

Many who are homeless became so after becoming pet owners. And they made a decision to hold onto their pets, even as their life became played out in the streets they used to drive on. As someone who has spent 25+ years in the field of animal welfare, I’ve heard the lame excuses people give you as they are handing you a pet they hold in (what seems to be) the same regard as yesterday’s newspaper, I have to admire this. Many are given a pet by a fellow homeless human as they head out of town in search of another chance. And the rest find a homeless animal as they trod up and down our city streets. God knows they are both everywhere, homeless people and animals. That they find each other and fill a void for both should not be surprising.

Owning a pet is not practical when you are homeless. I know this because I have worked with the folks living at Tent City and other homeless pet owners since 2001. The Southern Alliance for Animal and People Welfare gets the animals vet checked, fixed and vaccinated; we also provide collars, leashes, flea treatment and pet food. But I have observed that the number of pets treated pretty well is about on par with those living in “real” houses. Owning a home does not make you a good pet owner, and being homeless does not make you a bad pet owner. Judge each only on their merits and actions, and not on their situation.

No, being a homeless pet owner is not practical. The traditional homeless shelters will turn you away. But I don’t feel that to separate them is either compassionate or humane. We need some alternative to keep them together, these homeless humans and their pets. This is what makes a place like Tent City important, even in all of its less than ideal surroundings. By improving and regulating Tent Cities (homeless camps), we can keep the non-traditional homeless together. Maybe keeping a human being and their pet together is not on your list of priorities in what makes up quality of life for a city. But maybe we need to redefine quality of life. And maybe keeping them together will be what it takes to lift them back up and into a home of their own. And maybe separating them will take away every inspiration they might still have to give the 9 to 5 life another chance.

SAFPAW does realize that pet ownership for those who are homeless is controversial and less than ideal. We acknowledge that it is best to have stable housing before taking on a pet. However with the number of homeless animals wandering our streets everywhere; it is understandable how one wandering soul finds the other. But we believe that first of all, an animal is better off if it is vet checked, fixed and vaccinated. And by reaching out to someone who truly loves their pet, yet lives on the streets, we have a chance to change both lives for the better. And when they transition into permanent housing we stand ready to help their pet transition as well. SAFPAW works with church groups, social workers, as well as Happy Tales Humane, Metro Animal Control, Nashville Humane Association and other sheltering and rescue groups in placing the animals that the homeless must give up.

Many of these homeless pet owners already have their priorities in place. They have a love that is unconditional and sees them not as the world sees them but as they hope to be seen. In our list of what makes a great city, we cannot forget the ones at the bottom and that includes both homeless pets and people. I think giving them both a lift to the top is the ticket to a great city.

But like all programs, money is the bottom line need. Without your financial donations, our work comes to a halt. Your donations are tax-deductible and can be made at our website. SAFPAW will go into the trenches as well as the streets, alleys and homeless encampments. Your donations keep us going, and believe me the rewards are more than you can imagine. We may not be changing the world, but our corner of it is much better off because we exist. Just ask Buddy, Chloe, Sassy, Missy, Argo, Kit Kat, Mr.T, Foxy, Jazzy, Precious, Sunshine, Furby, Sheba, Tuffy…