What to Do When You Encounter Homeless People With Pets

A few weeks ago, I was driving out to a distant feral cat colony with the daily meal as the regular caretaker was out of town. The roads in that area are laid out like a pile of sticks, one crossing over the next, and I always seem to lose my way. This time I found myself heading the wrong way and I came upon a plaza with several stores and restaurants. As I drove past, I thought I spotted some people lingering about in the sun with a couple of dogs. I thought this was very odd as the air was in the mid-90s and near the pavement, it was certainly hitting 100 or more.

Though it seemed like a bad idea, especially as I’m wary of approaching strangers when my daughter is with me, I just couldn’t let it go. I began to try and navigate the network of roads and find a way to return to that same spot. It was probably no more than 10 minutes later when I was back where I started and at first I was relieved. I didn’t see them. No dogs. No people. I was halfway through letting out a deep breath when I spotted the group and that familiar feeling of dread crept up on me. I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do, but I pulled the car into the lot and closed my eyes for a second. A quick prayer and I was out of the car, taking my daughter by the hand as we walked over with her asking me lots of questions about why we were going to talk to these people.

The person closest to us on our approach was a young woman, head down between her knees, sitting on the ground. The dogs were laying all around her. I began talking to her and at first she did not lift her face.

“Is she awake?” I wondered.

I tried again.

“It’s such a hot day, your dogs must be thirsty. Would you like a bottle of water?”

The young woman slowly raised her head. She wasn’t sleepy but she was miles away. She looked at me blankly and agreed in a flat voice to take the bottle.

I then asked, “Can I give you a bag of dog food too? I just bought some for my dogs and it will just take me a second to get it.”

She called out to one of the men who was in her group. He was about 20 yards away, soliciting passing cars for money. She asked him if they needed dog food and he said, “We could always use more.” His voice was eager and I didn’t waste any time.

“Let’s Hurry Honey, We’re Going to Give Them Some Dog Food”

I hurried back to the car with my daughter and hastily opened the dog food and poured half of the 18 pound bag into a reusable shopping tote. I knew they wouldn’t be able to carry the whole sack along with their backpacks too, but I hoped they’d be able to carry the tote on one shoulder.

I returned to the young woman and a lovely, medium-sized golden dog slipped her head into the pink grocery bag. She was grazing softly while the other two dogs seemed uninterested in the meal. All three were actually in good body condition, and aside from being dreadfully hot under the pathetic shade offered by the immature tree sprouting up behind them, they seemed relaxed.

I asked the young woman questions about where she would spend the night, where she would go next. She explained that she and her companion, only one of the three men working together at the end of the lot, usually spent the night sleeping in bushes or under bridges. She named several states they had been through in recent months and explained that she had spent time in Oregon, clear across the country. She explained that they move south during winter and bundle up when they’re cold.

I couldn’t help but fix on the long bone-shaped jewelry piercing her nose, but what pained me most was the eyes of this young woman. She had no spark. She was absent of the normal body language woman tend to share during conversation. No smile. No nod. No response when I reached out and took her hand.

“Please, can I give you my card,” I offered. “I want to help you. If you need something. If your dogs need something…. I run an animal rescue charity. It’s called the Harmony Fund. I’m worried about the dogs. I’m worried about you. You can call me any time.”

Either she couldn’t feel the genuine love I was sending her or she didn’t want to.

“We’re not going to be around,” she said refusing the card. “We’re leaving for New York tonight. I don’t have a phone. We move all over the place and we’re not coming back here.”

There was not a thread to pull on. She was closed down and I could feel it. So I did the only thing I could and reached into my pocket and gave her the $14 I had on me.

“Good luck,” I said. “Please be safe. Please take care of yourself. I’ll be thinking of you tonight.”

Only she probably wouldn’t guess that I’ll still be thinking of her in years to come.

What To Do in This Situation

So what do you do when you see a homeless person with an animal? I simply don’t know. I did the best I could in the heat of the moment and perhaps that’s all any of us can do. Ask questions. Offer food and water. If you know of a resource in the area, try to talk to them about what help is available. You might not have a perfect plan, but any support you provide is better than simply walking past and averting your eyes.

If any of our readers today have helped in a similar situation, please share your thoughts below or visit our website if you’d like to share a full rescue story.

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Photo credit: Tatiana Sayig | Dreamstime.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Mel I.

3:57PM PDT on May 5, 2013

We always carry spare food (human and pet) and water in the car to help them. My daughters have always found it to be wonderful to help

May 5
send a green star

Spirit S.

5:39AM PDT on Apr 9, 2013

Good one renee.s :-)

April 9
send a green star

Duane B.

7:57AM PST on Feb 8, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

February 8
send a green star

Kati P.

6:37AM PST on Nov 11, 2012

When I encounter people with dogs or cats or even a bird begging for money in the streets of Montreal, i stand aside and i watch their interaction with the animals trying to feel if they really love them or just using them before helping them. i have witnessed young guys kicking their dog and realize most of the time that they are just using them.

November 11
send a green star

Kathy P.

1:20PM PDT on Oct 3, 2012

AS long as they aren't using the dog to get money. they would accept food and water im sure. if they don't they are more than likely being deceptive

October 3
send a green star

Angela R.

1:56PM PDT on Aug 22, 2012

I stand corrected, John, about you and Lady A being homeless in the traditional sense. I am, however, going to agree with you about hearts. Kindness IS needed.

I didw hat I could for you and Lady when you two were in Belleville, John. I'm just sorry I couldn't offer more.

August 22
send a green star

1:54PM PDT on Aug 22, 2012

John G.

9:50AM PDT on Aug 22, 2012

Ok I'm the person in question with the Dog named Lady A. First off I'm not homeless in the sense that people would think. I was traveling across country to meet and stay with friends and resettle in a new state and town. Both myself and Lady A have arrived and are doing well thanks to the help offered by those would held genuine concern. We would like to thank all those that offered food and water to use on our long journey. Not all travelers are homeless. I, considered myself to be residentially challenged for the period of our travels, but not homeless, for we had a destination and a place to stay once we reached it.
To those that wish to know what to do... Offering food and water and even a little cash is the best thing and can save a traveler and their pet from UN-need suffering while on the road. It shows that you are a human being, and have a heart, something very lacking in the world today. I'm a self employed artist with clients all over the world. So please don't judge those that travel with pets to harshly,you do not know who they are or why they travel in the way that they do. Yes some are just young adults that are homeless but not all. ;)
Again Lady A and myself would like to thank all those that helped us our on our journey across 6 states. We made it safe and sound because of hte kindness shown to use by those that cared. :)

9:19AM PDT on Aug 22, 2012

I talked to a friend of mine who's homeless now and played with his dog, Lady A, for a while when he was in Belleville,Illinois week before last. Took him a month to get there from Texas, not including stops for odd jobs.

Renee S.

10:56AM PDT on Aug 18, 2012

I pass out the packaged dog food that be ripped open, and pop-up cans, and kibbles, to homeless dogs when I'm biking on the boardwalk. I also keep food for the dogs in my car, and if there is a homeless at the corner with a dog, I scream out the window, " i have dog food, do you want", and most likely, they make it to the window faster than I can turn to the back seat to get it. Everyone is happy.