This Being Said: IF YOU HAVE ANIMALS, PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THEM AT YOUR CAMPSITE.

Originally, I didn't wanna say anything, but I'm filled with more and more anger the longer I have to see the replies and reblogs to this post.

Now, no hate to this as a concept. I've intentionally covered the username and profile because I don't want to invite the OP to come try and start shit on my blog, nor do I want people to go to them and try and start shit either. In fact, I've seen some good points brought up retaining to the safety and comfort of the animal, as well as the difficulties this brings for people with allergies. Is this pretty aggressive? Sure, but it's the internet- and I doubt this person preaches like this in their day-to-day life, so who cares?

No. My problem is with this addition from the OP:

As someone who has spent the majority of my life homeless, I think this is a perfect example of people invoking us in an argument where they truly don't give a shit about us.

This argument had nothing to do with homeless people. We are the seasoning you threw onto your food last second to make you feel like you hold some moral high ground to your dissenters. Not only do you kneecap your original argument with this (it seems like you care a lot less about "dogs in public" than you do "the general attitudes and cultural norms of the people and communities in metropolitan areas") but you also used us in an argument that we are DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY.

I could go on and on about how insulting this feels, and how often it happens, but instead I'd like to use this moment to speak with any homeless people who cross this post.

The blog in these pictures is not wrong about one thing- one thing they go on to prove fairly well in this thread: That the punishment for the crime of "annoyance" is tenfold for homeless people, and that people will not hesitate to go out of their way to hurt us, have our things destroyed, bar us from public spaces, or any number of horrible treatments if they believe it will remove us from the forefront of their minds: all for the social crime of being deemed "unsightly" or "a nuisance".

This being said: IF YOU HAVE ANIMALS, PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THEM AT YOUR CAMPSITE.

For many of us, pets can serve as guards (especially in unsafe environments), but at the very least they are functionally one of the few comforts in our lives, and one of the few tethers to "normal" that we are able to retain.

People do not believe we deserve that little grace, and the number of times I have seen someone's pet hurt or killed, intentionally set loose, had animal control called on them for being left unattended, or even straight up kidnapped- by everyday people who who took it upon themselves to play enforcer because they didn't like that the highway overpass looks dirty now, or by the same type of people who will preach about how the things that annoy them shouldn't be allowed in public spaces- is far too many.

So, since you won't have the privilege of just "leaving them at home" here are some tips from someone who's been in your shoes, and has been lucky enough to get to stand on the other side of the fence more recently.

(This goes just as much for objects as much as it does for animals- unfortunately when living like this, you can't guarantee the safety and ownership of anything left behind, and it's always safer to just keep your things with you.)

Make sure you have proper equipment for keeping your pet in public

Not only should you try and get a good, sturdy (non retractable) leash, but harnesses are harder to slip than collars, and make it easier to control your pets movement. Also, as much as you may not want to, a muzzle will keep a dog from barking, as well as negate the chance of someone claiming they have bit/ are a bite risk- behaviors which could have you removed from the premises at best, or have your pet taken or put down at worst. As much as you think "my dog would never" "they're too well behaved" or anything that makes you hesitant- a grocery store, a diner, or any other place you make need to take your pet will be filled with many smells, people, foods, other animals, and as much as you believe you can control your dog, you cannot control the world around you- and I promise you'd rather be safe than sorry.

If you are strapped for cash and can't go buy these items, then go talk to your local animal shelters, Petco/PetSmart's, community centers, and even outreach resources (shelters, assistance buildings, sometimes even free clinics). Many of these facilities will have donation bins specifically for the homeless or for people in financial crisis, or will be able to point you towards programs that can help set you up with equipment, food, and anything else your pet might need.

Please have your pet spayed/neutered

Not only do you not wanna risk having puppies or kittens on your hands, but animals are often more likely to be aggressive when not fixed. Your super sweet dog may attack another one for being in heat. Your cat will be more aggressive to humans because the hormones it's running with will make it more territorial.

Having a pet that loses it over people or other animals not only puts the animals in danger, but it also puts people in danger, and either way it's a sure fire way to get kicked out of the grocery store.

Talk with your local shelters (especially the ASPCA) about reduced fee fixings, many of them have programs specifically for people on the streets (and many will have free spay and neuter programs for cats specifically to reduce the number of ferals).

Make sure your pet is up to date on its shots

This one goes without saying: you don't want to hurt someone else's animal, or let yours get hurt. And you certainly don't want the vet bills from treating a sick pet

Again, talk with local shelters,any have assistance programs, or can point you in the right direction.

Ask whether or not the place you are going will allow pets in the first place

Many stores, restaurants, etc have no problem allowing animals, or will even pride themselves as being pet friendly, but if a place say no dogs/cats/ whatever other animal you may have (unless it's a place where there won't be other people, I really couldn't care less about what you're sneaking into your motel room)- don't argue or try and fight about it: calmly apologize and leave quietly and quickly. You don't want to draw attention to the situation or you risk having the cops called- and you are much more susceptible to mistreatment, harassment, and being locked up than whatever yuppie in the grocery store felt they were defending the public space. These are just spaces you've gotta accept that you won't be able to go (at least not with your pet)

Finally

Do not buy fake vests or certifications and claim that your untrained pet is a service animal, esa, or anything of the sort

Not only will it be big trouble if you're caught lying, but no matter how well behaved your pet is, or how much you feel they do a service, they are not trained working animals. They never be as well behaved as a properly trained service animal; and when pets (usually dogs) that misbehave, are reactive, or are generally just not actually working are claimed as service animals, it makes it harder for people with the need to bring their real service animals with them to do so. It emboldens business owners (who already have no qualms against discriminating against the disabled) to ban required service animals from their stores (and while this is against the law it rarely stops them). You don't want to do anything that makes survival harder for a group of people who are already treated like dirt for the crime of existing, the same way you would not like someone to make your life harder.

Obviously, the best option you have would be to leave your pets with a safe friend or family member for the day, but not everyone will have this option- and at the end of the day you should worry about your comfort, safety and survival, not about pandering to people trying to virtue signal to you on the internet while they spit in your face irl.

Stay safe out there

(and if anyone who sees this has links to resources for transient pet owners, or just for homeless people in general- please feel free to leave them in the reblogs, sharing is caring!)