Donor Spotlight: Houston PetSet

When the Coalition Outreach Team goes out into the community and interacts with people experiencing homelessness, they often hand out hygiene kits, water, and other items to help those living unsheltered. Thanks to a generous donation from Houston PetSet, they are now also equipped with food, collars, leashes, and bowls for pets owned by those experiencing homelessness.

Houston PetSet was founded in 2004 with a mission to end homelessness and suffering of companion animals and elevate their status in society. The organization envisions a world where companion animals do not suffer and are valued. To accomplish this, Houston PetSet works with animal welfare groups, elected officials, and a variety of stakeholders to develop solutions, including funding free spay and neuter surgeries, transport of homeless animals to areas of the country where they can be readily adopted, and providing critical animal welfare grants to partners who work directly with animals daily.

National estimates indicate that between 10 and 25 percent of people experiencing homelessness have pets. With Houston having over 3,000 individuals staying in shelters or encampments on an average night, that means between 300 and 750 pets in our region are cared for by owners experiencing homelessness.

Given that pets offer comfort, unconditional love, and protection, it's easy to understand that pet owners experiencing homelessness want to keep their four-legged family members with them. Unfortunately, many temporary housing shelters and human service providers are not set up to accommodate pets. This forces some owners to make difficult decisions, such as whether to sleep in their cars or on the streets so they can keep their pets. In some cases, owners surrender their pet companions in order to access more services.

Throughout the nation, many animal welfare organizations, including Houston PetSet, are beginning to work more closely with human service agencies and the community to provide support to pet owners. This includes offering free pet food, collars, leashes, and access to routine and emergency veterinary care. Here in Houston, Houston PetSet’s generous donations to the Coalition help keep furry companions of our unsheltered population safe and healthy.

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