Should poor or down on their luck people be allowed to have a dog?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Karen & Jackdoodle on March 22, 2010 at 9:08am

Most kill shelters are municipal animal control facilities which exist for the public's welfare, not the dog's. The employees are salaried governmental personnel who may or may not even like animals, and the "rules" are legislation made by the law makers in that particular city or county. There are many groups fighting to change some of these laws, and anyone who would like to help should do some research on what is happening in their particular area. For more on this topic, do a search for Nathan Winograd, the number one "no-kill" advocate in the U.S.
The policies of no-kill rescue groups and shelters in terms of adopting animals out to indigent people is another issue.

Permalink Reply by Leslie J on March 22, 2010 at 9:14am

I see many dogs in my neighborhood who have wealthy owners who can afford a high level of care but are gone all day and leave their dogs home alone. I also see homeless people who take their dogs everywhere they go and share their food with them. The dogs who are home alone may have their physical needs better met, but the dogs on the street most certainly have their emotional needs better met.

Me, I would rather be the dog on the street who spends his day with companionship. Ideally, a dog would have both (companionship and high quality health care) but it is not always an ideal world. The street dog may have a shorter life and not get much in the way of healthcare (much like his owner!) but dogs live in the moment and I think the ones I see with homeless people seem quite content.

Permalink Reply by Marianne *OZZY & ZOEY on March 22, 2010 at 3:54pm

I would think that if he already owned the dog, why would he want to give him up too...Or if he was homeless and the dog was a stray maybe they became friends....Dogs don't really care if they sleep in your bed or on your couch with the TV on they just want love and food...this dog might just be more balanced and act like dogs should act...I am speaking for myself, the Cesar Milan would not like the way I spoil my dogs....They may all that each other have and that could be a good thing both for the dog and the man...just my opinion.

Permalink Reply by Kyoko on March 22, 2010 at 6:47pm

Once, the shelter I volunteer at kept a dog for a man who became homeless. ( The dog was not on the adoption floor ) The man was staying at the human shelter, but he caught a bus to the animal shelter few times a week to see about his dog, spent time with him, etc.... Few months later, when he got his own apartment, he came to get his dog. This story was really touching, because the man loved his dog, and he was committed to be reunited with him and he did.

Permalink Reply by Adina P on March 22, 2010 at 7:56pm

That IS sweet!

Permalink Reply by HeatherA on September 9, 2010 at 4:24pm

When I lived in New Orleans (I was actually born there, moved away, but moved back to a nearby city when I was in college) there was a homeless man I used to visit with. He had lost his wife and daughters in a car accident. He lived on the street, he had a shopping cart, a dog and a pet rat. He was a very nice guy, and I got to know him. It turned out he got regular checks -- from the VA --- not enough to live off of, but enough to buy some food and replace clothes, etc. He told me none of the shelters (for homeless) allowed animals so he slept on the streets to be with his dog. I never gave him money. He never asked for it. I bought him a survival fork/knife/can opener, some canned food.. and a big bag of dog food. He would buy large bags of dog food -- and they would all eat it if needed. I would visit him and bring him a few sandwiches I made, and we would talk. I moved away from the area, and I still wonder about him. He is my reminder that you never know what has happened to someone else, and to think before you judge.

Back to the question of animal ownership --- His dog was more important to him then his own comfort. How many dog owners can say that? I definitely don't think you can make any hard and fast rules across the board that decides what makes a good owner. Yes, you could argue he didn't have a lot of money for huge vet bills... but just because someone HAS the money doesn't mean they will take care of the animal. The dog he had was nothing special. It was a stray, not a pretty dog, large in size. Very likely this dog would have been euthanized after not being adopted. He and the dog were companions, I'm sure the dog offered him some insurance sleeping nights outside.. warned him of trouble... and he loved the dog enough to sleep on the streets instead of a warm cot in a safe environment.

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