“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

Published: 2023-06-13

2023

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

Chelsie Bailey , Jo Hockenhull

, Nicola Rooney

Section: ARTICLES

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

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

homelessness , mental health , dog-owner relationships , welfare

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Bailey, C., Hockenhull, J., & Rooney, N. (2023). “A Part of Me.” The Value of Dogs to Homeless Owners and the Implications for Dog Welfare. 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

Affiliation:

Bristol Veterinary School United Kingdom

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Chelsie Bailey, BSc Animal Behaviour & Welfare Science, is a final year veterinary science student with a first degree Animal Behaviour & Welfare Science. She’s undertaken several student research projects, and has a strong passion for One Health topics.

Jo Hockenhull

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

Affiliation:

Bristol Veterinary School United Kingdom

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Jo Hockenhull, PhD, BSc in Zoology, MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour & Welfare is an animal behaviour and welfare research scientist at Bristol Veterinary School where she has worked since she completed her PhD investigating the welfare of UK leisure horses. In her time at Bristol, she has conducted research on a range of species, including livestock and working equines, exploring how the human-animal relationship can impact animal welfare. Jo’s research focuses on the welfare of domestic animals, mainly equines and livestock. As the welfare of these animals relies so heavily on the decisions made by their human caregivers, most of Jo’s research involves talking to owners/farmers, vets, industry representatives and other stakeholders about their understandings, beliefs and choices when it comes to the animals in their care.

Nicola Rooney

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

Affiliation:

Bristol Veterinary School United Kingdom

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Nicola Rooney is Senior Lecturer in Wildlife and Conservation at the University of Bristol. Her research focuses on the behaviour and wellbeing of companion animals and their interactions with humans. She has a particular interest in play behaviour, and in developing ways of measuring, prioritising and improving the welfare of companion species. Much of her work has focused on domestic dogs, and she has a international reputation in the field of working dog performance and welfare.

2023
Published: 2023-07-27

ISSN: 2719-2687

eISSN: 2451-3849

10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA

Publisher

Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego | University of Silesia Press

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

Abstract

Keywords:

Chelsie Bailey

Jo Hockenhull

Nicola Rooney

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