FAQ'S

3.5 million are homeless. Five to ten percent of homeless people have dogs and/or cats. In some areas of the county the rate is as high as 24%

Each homeless person has a unique story; they are people. Some have lost their homes and jobs, some have mental disorders, some are addicts, and some are parolees. Some are families, disabled, elderly, abused spouses, teens and veterans.

Why do the homeless have pets when they can barely take care of themselves? Pets provide a deep comfort. Pets are non-judgmental. They are loyal. They provide warmth and security. They homeless get a type of normlacy by providing food and water for their pets. In some cases, they provide them with reality.

Some homeless would sacrifice their own food for their pets. Then these is the protection factor. Living in the woods and on the streets is dangerous especially for women and the disabled. For many homeless these animals provide them with security from other homeless or from those that discriminate against the homeless with beatings or from others who may steal their modest possessions.

Who are we to judge? Money does not indicate who a person is, what they are capable of, how much love they deserve or where it should come from. Poverty is not a character trait. A struggling person deserves the same connections as everyone else. Having money does not give us the right to make those decisions for others. The misconception is that the homeless are lazy and do not want jobs or the responsibility that goes with a job.

With the economy today, one missed pay check, a medical diagnosis, or an abusive spouse can put someone into homelessness overnight. Rightfully, homeless are afraid that people will take their pets, thinking they are doing the homeless person and the pets a favor, when in fact they are doing great harm. A human and animal bond has been created and no one should separate them.

You might have guessed it that finances and transporation are at the top of the list as to why they do not seek vet care. And that is when Pibbles4HOPE steps in to help. With medical and supplies - we can assist in keeping these animals out of the animal shelters and keep them well taken care of with their owners.

The major problem for a homeless person is housing. Many shelters, hotels and other assisted housing programs do not want to have pets on their property. So they lives in their cars, in RV's, and in tent camps. Being forced to abandon a pet can be a major barrier to engaging the homeless into services.

Where do homeless get phones? That questions is asked more often than you would think. A telephone is a necessity for majority of people in America today since it connects them to the outside world. Having a phone is also important for securing employment in many cases. Finally, a phone can save lives since it can be a reliable communication tool during emergencies.