People Living Homeless: Pets Are Not A Luxury with Kitsap Aware

Each person living without housing has a unique story. Some have lost their homes and jobs, some have mental disorders, some are addicts, and some are parolees. Some are families, disabled, elderly, abused spouses or partners, teens, or veterans.

Pets provide deep comfort. Pets are non-judgmental. They are loyal. They provide warmth and security. The bond between a person and their pet may be the most significant connection they have. Some unhoused individuals would sacrifice their own food for their pets; some may go without shelter if their pet can’t be included. In some cases, their pets provide them with a connection to reality.

Then there is the protection factor. Living on the streets is dangerous, especially for women and the disabled. For many on the streets, their pets provide security from people who discriminate against them, including physical assault, or from others who may steal their modest possessions.
Join us to learn more about the lives of the those living without housing and their beloved pets.

Program:
Moderator, Tad Sooter from Kitsap Sun
Panel 1: Kimmy Siebens, President of Their Voice, and Lora Cook, Co-founder of Seattle Dogs Homeless Program, join experts on homelessness, who will tell their stories about their current or past experiences of living without housing and how their pets helped them survive and cope.
Panel 2: Social service speakers will talk about the human-animal bond and programs that support people living unhoused with their pets.
Emma Newton, Interim Executive Director of My Dog Is My Home
Sheryl Piercy, Social Services Director, Bremerton Salvation Army
Carollynn Zimmers, Retired Veterinarian
Followed by a Q&A session.
Post-forum pizza party: Stay to talk with our guest speakers and get to know the pets who support our experts on homelessness.
This session is organized in conjunction with Their Voice and West Sound for Social Justice.

Sponsors: North Kitsap Indivisible, Indivisible Kingston, Resisterhood360,
Indivisible Bainbridge, Kitsap Progressive Action Network