About

We are a team of researchers and community members conducting social science research to learn how to build community responsiveness to the struggles faced by youth and their pets during times of housing instability.

With a growing body of research finding pets to be invaluable to some unhoused youth, there is a critical need to reform service systems so that young people can access the resources they need while still preserving their relationship with their pet(s). The current lack of pet-friendly policies and infrastructure leaves unhoused youth with pets excluded from services that would support their transition to stable housing. We need a multi-perspective plan to create standardized policies, identify best practices, and create physical infrastructure.

To collect information, we are conducting interviews and focus groups in the Colorado front range with young people who have experienced housing instability while caring for a pet, as well as housing service providers and administrators (case managers, outreach specialists, shelter staff, and housing providers*). If you are included in one of these categories and would like to be interviewed, please complete this form, and a member of our team will reach out to you with more information. If you are interested in our work broadly, please reach out to us. 

*We use this term in place of the term "landlord" that originates from feudalistic systems. "Housing providers" also includes owners and property managers.