According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, the number of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the United States is steadily increasing, reaching the record number of 256,610 in 2023. Although data is limited, research suggests that up 25 percent of unhoused individuals have companion animals. The majority of Americans identify their pets as family members who offer a sense of companionship and support. For those experiencing homelessness, this companionship may be that much more critical.
Although there are numerous physical and mental health benefits to pet ownership, it may also create an additional barrier for those who are experiencing housing insecurity. In a 2016 survey conducted by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 22 percent of unhoused individuals reported that they were unable to enter shelters because they were not allowed to bring their pet. Many people choose to remain unhoused rather than relinquish custody or leave their pets behind when entering a shelter. The promotion of pet-friendly homeless shelters is one way to decrease this barrier to safe housing. Although support and funding opportunities for these efforts are increasing, homeless shelters that accept pets are still few and fear between. Other solutions may include partnerships with animal welfare organizations or boarding facilities, fostering coalitions, and prioritization of pet-friendly affordable housing programs. Some of these programs include financial assistance, such as help with pet deposits or pet rent, to help individuals at risk of homelessness obtain or maintain access to pet-friendly housing.
Until recently, there were only incomplete directories of “safe havens” that offer sheltering resources for people experiencing homelessness with a pet. In 2025, AWI’s Safe Havens for Pets directory was expanded to include resources for unhoused individuals with pets. This nationwide directory of sheltering resources contains listings from all 50 states and is searchable by zip code. The entities included in the directory, which is subject to ongoing refinement and updating, either provide sheltering services for the animals of the unhoused or have a relationship with an entity that does.
Additional Resources
In 2020, The National Alliance to End Homelessness and PetSmart Charities published Keeping People and Pets Together, a resource designed to improve outcomes for those experiencing homelessness with a companion animal.
For more information on the development of pet-friendly homeless shelters, please visit My Dog is My Home, to learn about their Co-Sheltering Collaborative. For those interested in funding opportunities, RedRover is offering Safe Housing Grants of up to $60,000 to nonprofit homeless shelters to become pet friendly.