“A Part of Me.” The Value of Dogs to Homeless Owners and the Implications for Dog Welfare

Chelsie Bailey; Jo Hockenhull; Nicola Rooney

doi:10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA.2023.S.05

Opublikowane: 2023-06-13

2023

„Część mnie”. Znaczenie psów dla bezdomnych właścicieli i konsekwencje dla ich dobrostanu

Chelsie Bailey , Jo Hockenhull

, Nicola Rooney

Dział: Artykuły

https://doi.org/10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA.2023.S.05

Abstrakt

The UK homeless population is increasing. Companion animal ownership amongst homeless people is not uncommon, but the positive and negative consequences of this association for both humans and animals are unknown. We conducted semi-structured interviews with homeless dog owners covering how their dog impacted them, and how they met the dog’s welfare needs. Twenty-one homeless dog owners were recruited via a dog welfare charity that works with homeless people and their dogs. The interviews were
transcribed and analysed thematically. Dogs were reported to provide similar benefits to dogs owned in households, but additionally owner believed they helped facilitate routine, assisted them through mental health issues and provided continuous emotional support. Owners noted difficulties accessing long- and short-term accommodation, and services, such as shops, due to their dog, and generally only entrusted other individuals to look after their dog in urgent cases. All the dogs were reported to receive veterinary
care as needed, were treated against parasites, and fed adequately. The main concern expressed by owners was providing somewhere adequately warm and large for their dog to sleep, but we suggest access to a safe place to avoid frightening stimuli may also be important. During the interviews owners used the dog to facilitate discussion about themselves, allowing many to open-up about the difficulties of their past, and potential future. Our findings can be used to help direct how homeless charities can best help dog owners
in the future.

Słowa kluczowe:

homelessness , mental health , dog-owner relationships , welfare

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Zasady cytowania

Bailey, C., Hockenhull, J., & Rooney, N. (2023). „Część mnie”. Znaczenie psów dla bezdomnych właścicieli i konsekwencje dla ich dobrostanu. Zoophilologica. Polish Journal of Animal Studies, 1–32. https://doi.org/10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA.2023.S.05

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Chelsie Bailey

cb14844@bristol.ac.uk

Afiliacja:

Bristol Veterinary School Wielka Brytania

Biogram

Chelsie Bailey jest studentką ostatniego roku weterynarii i posiada licencjat w zakresie Animal Behaviour & Welfare Science. Uczestniczyła w kilku projektach studenckich i z pasją zajmuje się problematyką One Health.

Jo Hockenhull

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9224-7304

Afiliacja:

Bristol Veterinary School Wielka Brytania

Biogram

Jo Hockenhull, doktor, licencjat w zakresie zoologii i magister applied animal behaviour & welfare, jest pracownikiem badawczym w Bristol Veterinary School, gdzie pracuje od czasu uzyskania stopnia doktora, badając dobrostan koni rekreacyjnych w Wielkiej Brytanii. Prowadziła również badania nad innymi gatunkami, między innymi nad zwierzętami gospodarskimi i końmi pracującymi, których celem było określenie, w jaki sposób relacje między człowiekiem a zwierzęciem wpływają na dobrostan zwierząt. Ponieważ zależy on w dużej mierze od decyzji podejmowanych przez opiekunów, większa część badań Jo opiera się na rozmowach z właścicielami/farmerami, weterynarzami, przedstawicielami przemysłu
i innymi interesariuszami o ich sposobach rozumienia, przekonaniach i wyborach dotyczących zwierząt pod ich opieką.

Nicola Rooney

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9629-1700

Afiliacja:

Bristol Veterinary School Wielka Brytania

Biogram

Nicola Rooney, Senior Lecturer in Wildlife and Conservation na University of Bristol, zajmuje się badaniami na zachowaniem i dobrostanem zwierząt towarzyszących i ich interakcją z ludźmi. Szczególnie interesuje się zachowaniami podczas zabawy oraz opracowywaniem sposobów pomiaru, ustalania priorytetów i poprawy dobrostanu gatunków towarzyszących. Duża część jej pracy koncentrowała się na psach domowych, co przyniosło jej międzynarodową reputację w dziedzinie sprawności i dobrostanu psów pracujących

2023
Opublikowane: 2023-07-27

ISSN: 2719-2687

eISSN: 2451-3849

10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA

Wydawca

Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego | University of Silesia Press

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„Część mnie”. Znaczenie psów dla bezdomnych właścicieli i konsekwencje dla ich dobrostanu

Abstrakt

Słowa kluczowe:

Chelsie Bailey

Jo Hockenhull

Nicola Rooney

Informacje