The have been widely researched and celebrated.
Pets can and immune system. and fit, offer emotional comfort and companionship, and . Pets can even .
Unfortunately, pet companionship is not always easily accessible to everyone. Several groups face hurdles when it comes to sharing time or living with a pet. that people can face when accessing pets include the lack of pet-friendly housing and pet food and veterinary care.
There can also be more concrete barriers to pet companionship, such as in rental agreements or in retirement homes.
As we strive for social equality, it is essential to address hurdles that prevent some people from experiencing the known benefits of spending time or living with a pet.
Challenges and misconceptions
can make pet companionship less accessible. Some of these factors include lack of appropriate housing and lack of financial resources for pet food and pet-related veterinary services. found that new immigrants and young people aged 18 to 34 years are the groups most affected by these factors and, often, elderly people experience .
, the inability to pay for grooming services, food or health-care services can create feelings of distress and, for their pets, this can lead to a reduced quality of life. In this case, we see that the well-being of both pet guardians and their beloved pets can be compromised.
Moreover, link higher income to an increased likelihood of living with companion animals. When it comes to economic factors, it is concerning that some believe certain groups of people should not be pet guardians. highlights several misconceptions about living with companion animals, which are often associated with financial hardships.
For example, that people who live in apartments, rather than homes with backyards and green space, should only have small dogs as pets. However, this belief ignores a dog’s energy level as some small dogs are highly energetic while some big dogs are less energetic. This belief also does not consider the guardian’s ability to provide mental and physical stimulation for their dog.
Still other people believe that if someone cannot afford the costs associated with caring for a pet, they should not have a one. This belief only reinforces social inequalities and reflects a deeper form of discrimination.
may force people to give up their pets, and this is an emotionally difficult decision. Christine Yvette Tardif-Williams, one of the authors of this story, with childhood and youth researcher Rebecca Raby and graduate students at Brock University children often navigate feelings of emotional intimacy towards their pets alongside feelings of loss and grief. In this research, homeless children shared stories about missing or losing companion animals either through separation or death.
that most people experiencing homelessness are responsible pet guardians, and that their pets are often very healthy and that they too benefit from human companionship — it’s a mutually beneficial, two-way emotional connection.
A more equitable future in pet companionship
. For instance, many socioeconomically disadvantaged and marginalized families and communities — including, but not limited to, racialized, Indigenous, homeless, immigrant and refugee families and their children — face barriers to pet companionship.
to reduce the barriers faced by these families and communities. It is important to create more opportunities for people and pets to live together. This can help us to address social inequality in pet companionship among diverse groups.
highlight the need for increasing access to free or low-cost veterinary care. Making shelters and housing more is also essential. Promoting campaigns to reduce misconceptions about pet companionship among diverse groups of people is another key strategy.
One example of a program that helps make pet companionship more accessible is This is a registered charity located across different provinces in Canada. They provide health care for people and preventive care for pets. They also run education programs covering topics such as animal behaviour, nutrition, and dental care. Together, these services help to living with pets.
Another example is the , a Canadian financing program that offers flexible options for people to split the payment of veterinary-related services.
However, we need more consistent collaborative work that begins by raising awareness about the importance of pet companionship for . Expanding this discussion can help us design fairer policies about pet companionship, foster social justice and bring communities together.
Overlooking the relevance of this discussion can reinforce discriminatory views around pet companionship.
Supporting pet companionship
It is problematic when due to a family’s economic status or housing opportunities, since it means they’re less likely to experience the well-being benefits of pet companionship. In this way, pet-related benefits are limited to a select and privileged group.
We can help people and animals build meaningful bonds by promoting equitable access to companionship. The needs of pets must also be prioritized in any effort to increase access to pet companionship. This means making sure pets’ physical and emotional needs are met and that they also benefit from the human-pet bond. Pets’ well-being and rights should always come first when making pet companionship more accessible.
To create a fair approach to supporting pet companionship among diverse populations, we need to balance human and pet needs and ensure the well-being of both humans and their pets.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
