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

• Authors: Chelsie Bailey , Jo Hockenhull , Nicola Rooney

Title variants

PL

„Część mnie”. Znaczenie psów dla bezdomnych właścicieli i konsekwencje dla ich dobrostanu

RU

«Часть меня». Значимость собак для бездомных владельцев и последствия для их оптимальных условий содержания

Abstracts

RU

Население бездомных в Великобритании растет. Владение собаками среди бездомных людей не является чем-то необычным, но положительные и отрицательные последствия этого общения как для людей, так и для животных остаются неизвестными. Авторы статьи провели частично структурированные интервью с бездомными владельцами собак, чтобы выяснить, как собака повлияла на их жизнь и как они удовлетворяют потребности собак в обеспечении их оптимальных условий содержания. Двадцать один бездомный владелец собак был выбран благотворительной организацией, занимающейся благополучием собак и сотрудничающей с бездомными и их собаками. Интервью были расшифрованы и проанализированы по тематике. Отмечено, что собаки бездомных приносят такую же пользу, как и собаки в домашних хозяйствах, но владельцы также считали, что животные-компаньоны помогают в установлении повседневного распорядка жизни, помогают с проблемами психического здоровья и обеспечивают постоянную эмоциональную поддержку. Из-за своей собаки владельцы отметили трудности с доступом к долговременному и краткосрочному жилью, а также к услугам, таким как магазины, и, в общем, они доверяли уход за собакой только в случаях крайней необходимости. Все собаки получали необходимую ветеринарную помощь, проходили лечение от паразитов и получали соответствующий корм. Главной заботой, выраженной владельцами, было обеспечение собаке достаточно теплого и просторного места для сна, но авторы статьи предполагают, что также важен доступ к безопасному месту, чтобы избежать причин для страха. Во время интервью владельцы обращались к собаке, чтобы облегчить обсуждение о себе, что позволило многим рассказать о трудностях в прошлом и потенциальном будущем. Результаты исследований могут быть использованы, чтобы показать, как благотворительные организации для бездомных могут наилучшим образом помочь владельцам собак в будущем.

EN

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

RU

бездомность; психическое здоровье; отношения с владельцами собак; социальная защита

EN

homelessness; mental health; dog-owner relationships; welfare

• Publisher: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
• Journal: Zoophilologica. Polish Journal of Animal Studies
• Year: 2023
• Volume: Veterinary Social Work. Numer specjalny
• Pages: 1-32

Dates

published

2023

Contributors

author

Chelsie Bailey

• Bristol Veterinary School

author

Jo Hockenhull

• Bristol Veterinary School

• https://orcid.org/0000000292247304

author

Nicola Rooney

• Bristol Veterinary School

• https://orcid.org/0000000196291700

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Identifiers

DOI

10.31261/ZOOPHILOLOGICA.2023.S.05

Biblioteka Nauki

21150518