Here in small town South Dakota, we are pretty sheltered from down and out people with their "Anything will help. God bless." signs, but it is beginning to be a more regular sight near the local Walmart.
Today there was a man with a sign. He was dirty, skinny and didn't have the proper clothing for our cool spring temps. Beside him was a beautiful, healthy, and clean AmStaff. It broke my heart to see this man who took such great care of his friend when he obviously needed care himself.
My question is, what do you do in this situation? Opinion differs so much. Do you wonder why they aren't working a drive through? Offer up a prayer and move on, or give a little something to help them along their journey? I know some would want to take the dog- get it into a stable home, some would want the man off the street. Out of sight, out of mind for a lot. I watched many drive by. A few nearly got into accidents trying to avoid looking in their dirrection.
I drove by...then turned around and gave him the emergency dog food I keep in my car and enough cash for one human meal. Watched as his dog's eyes lit up and his tail started to wiggle like a 10 pound puppy. I doubt the image of the pair will leave me for a very long time. It put a new meaning to "man's best friend" sometimes it's "man's only friend"

It's not uncommon here at all, sadly. I've given both dog food and cat food, a few times. I belong to a group that helps to supply a local (completely donation-funded) shelter that has a "pet pantry" for those who are having trouble feeding their animals.

I know someone who actually keeps handy and gives pop-top cans of chunky chicken soups and disposable spoons .... his way of supplying food while avoiding giving money that might be spent otherwise.

But I have all the same questions and concerns that you have. Some of my concerns are political, of course, but I know you don't mean to open a political discussion (which we strenuously avoid on a dog board), but more of a "what does one person do, facing this?"

As much as my heart would also go out to someone who is truly down and out, along with his dog, I've seen too many examples of "professional" panhandlers using dogs and children as props, both here in the good ol' USA as well as overseas. I know enough police officers and community activists who have investigated these supposedly homeless people and not a small number of them, following their "shift", walk to a nearby apartment complex where they actually live or take their money to a package store. That's why communities in our local area are cracking down on begging and panhandling. It would be nice to know if the person you are trying to help truly deserves it. I would offer to help them myself but I hate being scammed. Don't be fooled by the dog.

 Quote: Greg Meyer

As much as my heart would also go out to someone who is truly down and out, along with his dog, I've seen too many examples of "professional" panhandlers using dogs and children as props, both here in the good ol' USA as well as overseas. I know enough police officers and community activists who have investigated these supposedly homeless people and not a small number of them, following their "shift", walk to a nearby apartment complex where they actually live or take their money to a package store. That's why communities in our local area are cracking down on begging and panhandling. It would be nice to know if the person you are trying to help truly deserves it. I would offer to help them myself but I hate being scammed. Don't be fooled by the dog.

I've seen both of these where I am: "panhandlers using dogs and children as props."

We do have a large homeless population, and at least where I am, I'd probably be more concerned with that "props" scam (and the liquor store/drug dealer destination of cash given) than the professional panhandler in begging disguises. I've heard of that in big cities, though, definitely.

The guy I know who gives actual food said once that he had become adept at weeding out certain folks by their reaction to being offered food instead of money.

Connie; No politics here Just a "What would you do?" I like the idea of pop-top soups and plastic spoons. I think I'm going to grab some. After the fact, I did talk with one of our HS Directors and found that all food donated by the public goes into thier food bank for any members of the community who request it.

Greg, it is really sad to think that scammers are a regular occurance. It really would be nice if we could tell exactly who we are helping and I have given it some thought before. Mainly after I realized than one man was commuting to the 3 largest towns around here- saw him rotate from 45 miles south, my town, 45 miles north, then back. Same spot along the off ramp and every 2 weeks he is back again. (I now know his car is parked behind a gas station close by) At first it made me extremely mad, but when faced with the decision; ignoring those who really do need help to save myself from accidentally helping those who don't wasn't what I wanted it to be about. I figure if these people aren't really in need and they get a rise out of duping me, they'd be surprised to know I don't care I've wasted a few bucks a week on dumber things- coffee drinks, toys my kids want from Dollar Tree etc. Whether it's Karma, or religion (that I am not bringing into a dog board conversation ) there will be a time when they will have to answer for their deception. I figure that's enough to let me keep helping.

Not all homeless are like that, though. I used to frequently take a train down state to see my family. There were three homeless people who lived at the station. One, a woman, had a white cat. The cat would stay tied to her shopping cart. When they traveled the cat would happily trot along side or hop up on the pile of clothing for a ride. This cat in no way seemed scared or upset even. Anyway, these people would NEVER ask for money, in fact, once she even gave me money to call a cab. I would often take them value meals and cat food on the holidays. They were always so thankful. I never asked about their situation, I figured it was none of my business. However, the people who "panhandle for money on the side of the road" I would never (nor have I ever) give them any money. Just a thought.

My first job in animals was for the Humane Society of New York, a free clinic for homeless people and people on welfare. 1969. Lots of street types, crazy people, the very old.
The bond between some dogs and their humans was incredibly strong. Some slept in the clinic if the dog was too sick to leave and would sleep on the street outside the clinic until the dog became well or died. For some, the dog was the only contact with reality.
We don't know these peoples situation, the people we see begging. We don't know what it is to be crazy . No one wants to be a looser, to smell, to have no home.
To be a drug addict, to hear voices. Someones brother, someone's son.
I thank God it's not me, and donate to the Salvation Army.

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

My first job in animals was for the Humane Society of New York, a free clinic for homeless people and people on welfare. 1969. Lots of street types, crazy people, the very old.
The bond between some dogs and their humans was incredibly strong. Some slept in the clinic if the dog was too sick to leave and would sleep on the street outside the clinic until the dog became well or died. For some, the dog was the only contact with reality.
We don't know these peoples situation, the people we see begging. We don't know what it is to be crazy . No one wants to be a looser, to smell, to have no home.
To be a drug addict, to hear voices. Someones brother, someone's son.
I thank God it's not me, and donate to the Salvation Army.

Betty, this is such a good post; it reminds me that I would rather be scammed occasionally than refuse to look.

BTW, I've seen how much good work the Salvation Army here does, too. Really feeding individuals and families, both with their hot meals and with their weekly "pantry" (bags of groceries). They are one of the orgs (like Second Harvest) whose basic, on-the-ground person-to-person work is so admirable to me.

I think part of what makes these particular orgs so enduring and (to me, anyway) so worthy is their encouragement of having recipients who can, volunteer to help in addition to receiving.

This was a recent thought provoking situation for me as well- this weekend I saw a homeless guy on the corner with a nice little GSD mix curled up at his side. It was cold and windy- the dog was curled into a ball for heat. I drove by the first time....

Then I went back. As a dog person, I have a TON of dog stuff in my car- I also have human snacks and water bottles. I stopped and petted the dog and got to talking with the guy. We didn't talk about religion or politics or why he was on the street. We talked about his dog, and my dogs, and how crazy we are in love with them.

I gave him all of the training treats I had in the car, a blanket, bottles of water, a small stainless steel dish for the dog's water or food, a gift card I was given for Subway that I had not used, my "emergency" leash and collar, a squeaky toy that Drift had gotten from a friend, and a box of fruit snacks I keep in the car. If I'd had more to give, I would have.

Was I scammed? I don't know. I don't care. It was stuff I had that was extra... that I don't even miss. I can say one thing for sure- I slept well that night. I would not have if I'd driven by again without stopping ... I know that much about myself.

--Kel

I posted this awhile back when we were talking about the same thing