Housing or Financial Insecurity

To support struggling families and their pets, we advocate for stronger protections and provide a resource list of programs and services.

A man with a hood and a dog in a red jacket sitting against a tiled wall, with a paper cup in front of them.

  • We’re helping Ohio’s families care for their pets. With 78 million dogs and 86 million cats in 80 million American households, pet ownership transcends geographical, racial, religious, and socio-economic boundaries, demonstrating that love for pets is a consistent societal value. Currently there are at least 19 million pets living with U.S. families whose income level is below the poverty line, which is triple the number of dogs and cats who enter animal shelters each year. There are millions more in working poor and middle-class families struggling with the cost of caring for their pets. Lack of access to information, advice, and direct animal care services produces hardships and heartaches for many pet owners in underserved communities.

    The vast majority of people who live in poverty have to work extremely hard to provide even the most basic pet care. Yet, they are frequently accused of being irresponsible with their pets or subjected to fines and criminal charges because of issues that are largely out of their control. A dog may live outside because a landlord does not allow indoor pets, and affordable housing with pet-friendly options is hard to find.

    A pet may also live outside because the owner is experiencing homelessness. As of January 2018, Ohio had an estimated 10,249 people experiencing homelessness, as reported by Continuums of Care to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Of that total, 1,105 were family households, 749 were Veterans, 686 were unaccompanied young adults (ages 18-24), and 730 were individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Pets of the Homeless is an organization devoted to “keeping pets and humans together.” They provide a variety of resources to the unhoused community including pet food, emergency veterinary care, wellness clinics, and help locating pet-friendly shelters.

    Maddie’s Fund held an important seminar addressing the fact that access to veterinary care is a national crisis. Important statistics that were shared include the fact that 88% of families are pet owners in this country, but over 29 million families lack access to vet care. The conclusion was veterinarians must step up with strategies for how to provide care to all sectors of the population and address the fact that current safety nets for low-income families do not include vet care. The number of low-income households is growing: 80% of families needing food stamps worked the year before. Unfortunately, the number of animals being turned in to shelters is also growing as many low-income families are unable to continue to care for their animals without help. A new study reveals there are also “veterinary deserts” in low-income areas. The lack of accessible care often means people must travel farther to get to the vet, which makes routine care more costly and less convenient.

    Many families face eviction or the loss of their beloved pets due to breed discrimination laws passed in many low-income communities. Jurisdictions that have enacted breed-specific laws have learned by experience that these laws do not make their communities safer. OAA works with communities to enact breed neutral policies that advance public safety and compassion to animals.

    Also, many shelters across the state are seeing more senior pets being surrendered. Disturbingly, reasons being cited are allergies, moving and housing restrictions, cost and medical care, and behavioral issues. Sometimes it is because the owner has passed away. It takes a lot of time and attention to get senior pets re-homed. If a senior pet is having difficulty adjusting to a shelter environment, fostering can be an answer. Families facing difficult times could reach out to organizations such as Hospets to help in the transition, or seek free or reduced-cost food and medical care before surrendering a pet to a shelter.

    Everyone who wants to provide a loving home to animals deserves access to the resources that make pet-keeping possible. Pets enhance the lives of humans and the larger society. The bond people have with their pets should not depend on income, in which zip code one resides, or the language one speaks.

  • OAA works to advance policy efforts to provide additional resources for financially challenged families and their pets. Please see our resources for our grants and assistance page, as well as our statewide resources including low-cost spay and neuter clinics, pet food pantries, and shelter programs that provide assistance for seniors and low-income families. The key goal: keeping pets with their families in their homes.

    Federal & State Laws:

    • Providing for Unhoused People and Pets Act is a critical piece of legislation that would establish a grant program for homeless shelters, so they can access the funds they need to support clients with pets. Check out our action alert here!

    • Ohio Fair Housing Act protects the right for disabled people to have an animal assistant, regardless of existing pet policies. Animal assistants are typically highly trained and provide aid to their owner. Ohio law prohibits housing providers from charging extra fees for an animal assistant.

  • Helping people with pets who are facing financial insecurity is a compassionate and impactful way to make a difference. Pets can be a great source of comfort and companionship, but for people struggling financially, providing proper care for their animals can become a serious challenge. Here are some ways you can help support individuals and families facing financial hardship while also ensuring their pets receive the care they need.

    Support Pet Food and Supply Banks

    • Many communities have pet food pantries or food banks that provide free pet food and supplies to individuals and families in need. Find local organizations or animal welfare groups that run pet food banks and contribute supplies or money. Visit our Resources page to find pet food pantries near you.

    • Organize a pet food and supply drive in your community, at your workplace, or through social media to collect donations for those who are struggling to provide for their pets. You can also encourage local pet stores to host donation boxes for pet food, litter, or toys.

    • Volunteer with organizations that distribute food and supplies to pet owners facing financial insecurity. By helping deliver or hand out resources, you can make sure that pets get the essentials they need to stay healthy.

    Provide Financial Assistance for Veterinary Care

    • Some clinics offer low-cost or sliding-scale fees for pet owners in need. If you have the means, donating to these clinics or supporting funds that provide emergency financial assistance can make a significant difference in ensuring pets receive necessary medical care.

    • Set up a crowdfunding campaign to help cover emergency medical bills for pets in need. Platforms like GoFundMe can help raise money for individuals facing financial hardship and needing veterinary care.

    Advocate for Affordable Pet Services

    • Many low-income pet owners struggle to afford spaying or neutering their pets, leading to overpopulation and increased strain on shelters. Advocate for spay/neuter programs that provide services at little to no cost for people in financial need.

    • Collaborate with shelters, rescues, or clinics to establish or promote low-cost or free veterinary care services in your community. Many non-profit organizations run special events or partnerships that help reduce the cost of spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and other essential veterinary services for low-income families.

    Provide Temporary Fostering or Pet Sitting

    • If a pet owner is facing temporary financial hardship and needs a safe place for their pet, offering to foster the animal for a short period can provide significant relief. This could be especially helpful in situations where someone is facing housing instability, a medical crisis, or loss of income.

    • If you can’t directly help with fostering, connect people with local pet fostering networks or organizations that assist with fostering pets for families in crisis.

    Help with Pet-Related Transportation

    • People who are financially struggling might have difficulty getting their pets to vet appointments, grooming sessions, or pet food pantries. Offering to drive pets to these appointments, or organizing carpools with other pet owners, can make a big difference.

    • Volunteer for or create a local network of drivers who can help transport pets to clinics, shelters, or pet supply stores. This can be especially helpful in rural areas or for those without access to reliable transportation.

    Promote and Support Community Resources

    • For help with housing, food, paying bills and more, visit findhelp.org or 211.org.

    • Spread the word about local organizations, clinics, or non-profits that offer assistance to pet owners facing financial insecurity. This could include low-cost veterinary care, pet food pantries, and community assistance programs. Our Statewide Resources list includes many of these resources in your area.

    • Sometimes, pet owners need assistance with more than just their pets. Connect people with broader social services that provide financial support, housing assistance, or healthcare, which can ultimately ease their ability to care for their pets.

    Advocate for Pet-Friendly Housing

    • Many people face financial insecurity due to the lack of pet-friendly housing options, and they may be forced to give up their pets when they can’t find a place that allows them. Advocate for landlords and housing organizations to adopt more pet-friendly policies, or work with shelters to find housing for both individuals and their pets.

    • Some cities or towns have specific programs that provide pet-friendly shelters or temporary housing options for people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Help connect pet owners to these services if they are at risk of losing their home and their pet.

    Raise Awareness and Change Policies

    • Many communities are unaware of the challenges faced by pet owners in financial distress. Raise awareness through social media, blogs, or public forums about the importance of supporting people who need help caring for their pets.

    • Advocate for policies at the local, state, or national level that provide financial assistance for pet care, such as subsidized veterinary services, emergency pet care funds, or welfare programs that include pets as part of financial assistance plans.

    • Some welfare programs, including food stamps (SNAP) or public housing, do not consider pets in their criteria, even though pets are essential to the emotional well-being of families. Advocate for changes that recognize the importance of pets in the lives of people facing financial insecurity.

    Support or Volunteer at Animal Shelters and Rescues

    • Animal shelters often see an influx of animals from people who can no longer afford to care for them. Volunteering at these shelters can help ease the strain on overburdened resources and provide support to pet owners seeking help.

    Helping people with pets facing financial insecurity requires a combination of direct action, resource-sharing, and systemic advocacy. By donating time and resources, and by connecting individuals with community programs and services, you can make a significant difference in the lives of both pets and their owners. Supporting the human-animal bond, especially during difficult times, not only enhances the well-being of pets but also brings hope, comfort, and stability to those struggling financially.

  • Resource Materials:

    Pet Food Donations for Organizations:

    • Purina Charitable Pet Food donation process - for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations

    • Federal Emergency Management Assistance (FEMA) aid is possible. Ohio organizations must register through Ohio Emergency Management Agency, 2855 W Dublin-Granville Rd, Columbus OH 43235-2206. Office: (614) 889-7150. Fax: (614) 889-7183. If/when FEMA provides assistance, and if pet food is part of the assistance, registered organizations will be on the list to receive.

    News Media:

    Literature & Toolkits:

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