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Furry friends welcome: Study explores the impact and practicalities of allowing pets to stay with their owners in homelessness temporary accommodation

A new study supported by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC) is exploring the benefits and practicalities of allowing pets to stay in temporary accommodation with their owners, with the aim of developing new evidence that could encourage more homeless hostels to adopt a pet-friendly policy.

The research has been funded by the Society for Companion Animal Studies.

People have a profound bond with their pet, and this bond can become even more important when a person is facing challenges in their lives, including loss of their home.

Previous studies have shown that pets can reduce loneliness, depression, criminal activity, substance misuse, and even self-harm in people experiencing homelessness.

In the UK, very few homelessness hostels accept pets. Faced with the decision to accept shelter or give up their pet, most people choose to refuse shelter. Remaining homeless is linked to worsening physical, mental, and social health, which is linked to significant financial costs.

During the study, which is already underway, researchers will interview staff, residents and commissioners of temporary accommodation in the UK to understand how services can be pet-friendly in a way that respects the needs and wellbeing of staff, residents and animals.

The work has the potential to impact thousands of human and animal lives by promoting pet-friendly policies in hostels.

Dr Mackenzie Fong, a Research Fellow with the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC) based at Newcastle University, is leading the study. She said:

“In the UK, very few temporary homelessness accommodation providers accept pets for reasons including perceived risks to safety, hygiene, and animal welfare. In work that we have done already with accommodation providers and residents across the UK, we found that the risks and costs of housing pets are minimal and are far outweighed by the benefits.

“With the appropriate measures in place, accommodation services can be pet-friendly and respect the needs and wellbeing of residents, staff and animals. By promoting the support available to housing providers to implement pet-friendly policies we hope to ultimately improve homelessness accommodation provision for people with pets.

“This is needed now more than ever as more people, including those with pets, are likely to become homeless due to the cost-of-living crisis in the UK.”

The study has just been awarded extra funding from IMPACT (Improving Adult Care Together) – which is the UK centre for implementing evidence in adult social care. The funding will allow the research team to share the evidence from the research with homeless housing providers and commissioners, in a bid to influence change within the sector and increase the number of pet-friendly accommodation spaces in the UK.

The work is being delivered in partnership with pet charities Street Paws, StreetVet and the Dogs Trust – who already do work to support and encourage the inclusion of pets in homeless accommodation.

IMPACT is a £15 million UK centre for implementing evidence in adult social care. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Health Foundation.

Find out more about the IMPACT projects for 2025-26 – IMPACT to run 22 projects across the UK in 2025-26 – IMPACT

Image: Used with permission from the Centre for Homelessness Impact

Pictured: Damian Margetts, 34, served in the Royal Logistic Corps before facing personal losses that led to complex PTSD, depression, and anxiety. His 7-year-old dog, Elsa, serves as his lifeline through periods of homelessness and mental health struggles. Despite support from organisations like the British Legion and Combat Stress, Damien navigates temporary housing, relying on Elsa’s companionship to cope with challenges.