In This Together: Caring for Pets Amidst Homelessness and Hardship
by Diana Hulet
Photography by Diana Hulet
We love our canine and feline companions and will do whatever it takes to make sure they are fed, safe, and loved.
When a dog or cat becomes part of our lives, we often prioritize their needs over our own, as they accompany us through certain chapters of our human existence, knowing they will not be with us, at least in their furred bodies, for the entirety of our lives. They come in, walk the path alongside us, and then, when it’s time, they exit—and our hearts break.
What happens, though, when the chapter we share with them becomes increasingly difficult? When we have fallen on hard times, and we lean on our dogs and cats not only to live in challenging spaces or skip a meal, but also to carry our emotional weight, lick our tears, and keep us warm on a cold night?
Undoubtedly, the bond changes. It becomes somehow closer, yet more precarious at the same time. Survival becomes a priority, and it is practiced together, in tandem. Animals know how to do that. We are all animals. To find any trustworthy support during a long or short life chapter that may include homelessness, extreme poverty, or addiction must feel like a miracle.
It’s summer, and smoke hangs heavily across the Willamette Valley and Portland Metro region after yet another wildfire.
News stations and emergency management urge vulnerable populations to stay indoors, but for Michael and his dog, Little Miss, that isn’t possible. Michael stands next to her as she works determinedly at the squeaker inside her new toy, Little Fish. They have been living in unstable housing situations for months, and today Michael waits for his turn at Portland Animal Welfare (PAW) Team—a checkup and a health certificate could help him secure an apartment where they can finally have a place to call home.
“They don’t speak our language, but they sure understand us,” Michael says with a kind smile, reflecting on the bond he shares with blue-eyed Little Miss.
A client and her pet share a joyful moment while waiting for their appointment at the PAW Team clinic in Portland, Oregon, August, 2023.
Inside the clinic, Briana Shrode, Co-Executive Director of Medical Services, and Nicole Perkins, Co-Executive Director of Development and Operations, stand with their team in a small room filled with exam tables, a scale, medications, and treats. Multiple vet techs, two veterinarians, and volunteers work closely together, focusing on vaccines and wellness checks for clients seeking support and housing. Water is available for people and their animals, along with shade and a clean bathroom. Respect and care are evident all around.
Briana notes that PAW Team is not just another relationship.
Trust is built over time; clients often come when there’s nowhere else to go, and sometimes share when a pet has died—a level of openness that doesn’t happen everywhere. Nicole, always moving between tasks and locations, highlights the need to pivot quickly, especially during crises like the pandemic, while keeping programs sustainable and manageable in the long term.
Out front, a volunteer dog trainer kneels to greet dogs, offering treats and showing simple techniques to help their humans ease the tension of a long wait in close quarters. Each small exchange—a gentle connection with a nervous dog, a few words of encouragement to a client—becomes another form of care. Clients describe these interactions as moments of relief, of being recognized and understood, not judged for their circumstances.
Some clients arrive as early as 2:30 a.m., taking multiple buses, waiting for hours in extreme heat or cold, or sleeping in cars—all to ensure their animals receive the care they need. At PAW Team clinics, the bond between client and patient is undeniable: despite difficult circumstances, the animals are consistently thrilled to return to their humans after veterinary care. PAW Team staff and volunteers provide not just medical care, but recognition, respect, and a rare sense of stability for both.
Nicole Perkins (left) talks with people standing in line, hoping their pets can be seen by the veterinary staff at the PAW Team open clinic, October, 2023.
One client reflected, “I’d be dead if it wasn’t for her,” as she smiled at her best canine friend.
Another added, “I feel like I can finally take a breath.”
Yet another, holding tight to her dog, said, “I’m not giving up on them.”
Tim, with his dog Rosie sitting on his lap, wondered, “I wish we could all just take care of each other like this. Aren’t we all supposed to be caregivers?”
Dogs and cats living with people experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty face constant risks that can quickly become life-threatening.
Common illnesses include untreated infections, respiratory disease, skin conditions like mange, and chronic issues such as dental disease. Injuries are frequent—puncture wounds, abscesses, frostbite in winter, and heat stress in summer. Extreme temperature swings due to climate change only compound these challenges. Many animals go without vaccines or preventative medications, leaving them vulnerable to parasites and diseases that are more easily managed in stable environments.
In some living situations where drugs are present, pets risk accidental exposure to substances like opioids. Even a small amount can be dangerous, and emergency interventions are sometimes necessary. In rare cases, medications such as Narcan can be administered to counteract opioid poisoning in dogs or cats, reflecting the harsh realities of extreme poverty and homelessness.
Since the pandemic, Portland has seen a sharp rise in people living outside, in tents, or in small supportive communities like the tiny house villages developed by organizations such as Urban Alchemy. Multnomah County reports over 16,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2025, a notable increase from previous years. Rising housing costs, pandemic-era job loss, and gaps in mental health and addiction services are driving the numbers. These villages provide some safety and a sense of community, but life remains tense: weather, scarce resources, and social stigma make nearly every day a struggle. For those with pets, these challenges are multiplied.
Camilla Pettle, Medical Services Coordinator, recalls a client who returned to the clinic years after losing his cats to a municipal shelter. With PAW Team’s support, he was able to reunite with his pets. Moments like these—when people and animals are brought back together—highlight the importance of long-term care and demonstrate how stability for people directly benefits the animals in their lives.
Poppit enjoys a scratch from her human companion at the Urban Alchemy tiny house village in Portland, Oregon, April, 2024.
In 2024, PAW Team remained a lifeline for pets and their families, supporting more than 3,000 households through its Supply Bank. The team launched a crisis foster and boarding program for animals whose caregivers face short-term hardships, while partnerships with local clinics help sick or injured pets access more extensive care. PAW Team also began an end-of-life services program, offering compassionate support for families facing one of the hardest realities of pet companionship.
Growth, Briana notes, has required careful planning: the team has added staff, continues to secure its pet pharmacy, and navigates complex interpersonal dynamics, always considering how the team can help even more in the coming years.
Michael and Little Miss continue to wait patiently, with Michael focused on providing the best care for his companion, and Little Miss delighted with her new toy. The day holds a quiet celebration for them both—Little Miss receiving the care she needs, the health certificate, and a step toward stable housing.
Around them, others depart with their beloved dogs and cats, reassured that PAW Team doesn’t just provide care—it honors relationships, meets people where they are, and offers support that can change the course of a life.
Little Miss smiles while waiting for her health exam at the PAW Team in Portland, Oregon on a day that could determine housing for her and Michael, August, 2024.