08/15/2026
Many of you probably heard this week about the encampment sweeps in downtown Kalamazoo, and I want to call attention to an oftentimes unconsidered effect of the housing crisis we are in - unhoused pets.
We have been incredibly lucky to be able to head out a few times recently with pet food and water bottles for unhoused pet owners. I've met lots of dogs and cats and their humans out there. We served 26 pets tonight.
The comments and reactions to this "story" are disgusting. Human beings talking about other human beings like they arent. Members of our community, especially people who are supposed to be leaders, should really learn the difference between resources that are offered to people, and resources that are accessible to people.
Think having a shelter or two in town eliminates the problem? Nope, they're full. They don't allow pets. You have to jump through 6174 hoops to qualify. They have a curfew. You make one wrong move when you're not at your best and you're trespassed. They're religiously affiliated. The woman who runs it via her personal cell phone number blocks you bc she doesn't like you. It's not clean or safe.... The list goes on...
And don't get me STARTED on pet rent... When we are calling apartment complexes and landlords to confirm pet policies for adoption applications and they tell us it's a $350 fee and $35 per month.... PER PET!!
So these options aren't always accessible to people. And that's the difference. That's what some folks fail to realize.
Would you give up a furry family member to go inside where they don't allow pets? I sure wouldn't.
And there are NO consistent and ACCESSIBLE options for our unhoused community members with pets. No matter what our "leaders" want to tell you.
I've been trying to call attention to this for over a year. Summers aren't getting any colder and winters sure aren't getting any warmer... Why aren't there accessible options for people with pets?! Where can they go when the temperature outside is unsafe?? What are we as a community doing to help?? It's always someone else's problem.
We have been trying to do what we can...
To remove barriers to affordable spay/neuter services? We got a transport van and started a TNR program.
To remove barriers to assistance with pet food? We give away food and other supplies when we have it, no questions asked (except do you need other assistance?) at the cafe, and doing outreach downtown when we can.
To remove barriers to shelter? We create winter cat shelters and continue to pressure our community "leaders" to quit playing the blame game, quit making excuses, and implement some solutions.
And instead making sh*tty comments, blaming others, or sweeping the issue under the rug and being part of the problem - let's work toward solutions. Not temporary bandaid solutions, not solutions that looks good for fundraising in a newspaper article but don't actually help anyone, ... Accessible solutions.
When we've posted about the pet crisis in Kalamazoo in the past, many of you asked how you can help... If you have food or funds you can donate, or even just a minute for a quick follow, like and share - every bit helps!! Want to get involved? Stay tuned 👀
Let's show some compassion for these pets AND their humans... Let's do better Kalamazoo 🫶🐾💜
