Over the past week, heat domes baked The Lower 48. Homeless people and their pets withered under triple-digit temps. Worse, with the exception of service animals, few homeless shelters accept pets of the homeless due to health and safety concerns. To whom can the homeless turn in times of climate calamity?
It was 105 degrees in Portland last Monday. Driving home, my wife spotted a black lab sprawled across the sizzling asphalt. Her purple tongue dangled limply from a panting snout while her concerned human huddled over her. Trying to lift the dog’s head, the human collapsed in a heap.
Unable to safely pull over, my wife called me. Sobs choked her words as she described the scene. What could be done for a homeless family that’d by then shrunk to a tiny blur in the rear-view mirror?
I called our vet who referred me an animal hospital in the know about community services. On their recommendation, I dialed Multnomah County Animal Services at 503-988-7387, option 1. Within seconds, they dispatched an emergency response team to the location my wife described to me. The operator thanked us for being concerned enough to call.
Here are but a few ways to help homeless pets and their humans exposed to extreme elements:
If you don’t know who to contact for emergency services, call your veterinarian or nearest animal hospital. Your city or county animal services division may also direct you to resources.
Beware the signs of heat stroke including excessive panting, rapid breathing, sweaty paws and purple lips/tongue.
For cold weather, stow a warm blanket in your car. When it’s hot, pack a soft towel that can be moistened with cool water to wrap around the animal. Dousing a hot pet with ice cold water can trigger shock. Offer cool water to drink.
Move the pet to a shaded area or indoors immediately. Shop owners with a heart often give respite to overheated pets.
Good Samaritan laws in 31 states offer immunity to rescuers who break car windows to rescue a distressed animal. Check with your state’s laws to determine who qualifies as a rescuer and at what point (pre-or-post 911 call) you are protected. Criss-cross several strands of masking tape over the window before breaking to minimize potential injury from flying shards of glass.
Share the contact information of Rescue Organizations offering free or low-cost veterinary services for pets of people in need. Two stellar groups in Portland are The Portland Animal Welfare Team (503-206-6033), and The Pongo Fund Pet Food Bank (503-939-7555).
Learn the locations of cooling centers in your area and direct homeless persons and pets to them.
Raphael House in Portland gives refuge to victims of domestic violence — whether housed or not — and their pets.
Faced with the gut-wrenching choice of surrendering their animal to enter a shelter, many homeless people would sooner remain on the streets with their pets. For a homeless person, their pet’s love may be all they have left in the world.
Society offers Good Samaritans and emergency services, but more in needed: fresh strategies to house people and their pets while ensuring the health and safety of everyone in a transitional community setting.