An estimated 1,500 people are currently experiencing homelessness in the metro area. Many live in tent encampments throughout Douglas County. Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson said in his 30 years of law enforcement, he has never seen the number of people living in encampments like he does now. “I’m concerned about the folks that live in those tents,” Hanson said. “I’m concerned about the folks that live and work around those tents. I’m concerned about the animals that live in those tents.”Those animals, Hanson said, are often a reason why someone doesn’t seek help.”We have victims of domestic violence that won’t leave their pet. We have people that live in their cars that won’t leave their pet,” Candace Gregory, president and CEO of Open Door Mission, said. “We have people living in homeless encampments that won’t leave their pets. We hear that every day. It’s not just an animal. It’s a pet. It’s like a fur baby. It’s an extension of the family, and it is a barrier to shelter.”Hanson said he wants to address that barrier and work to eliminate it. “I want to give folks like that an option,” Hanson said. “I would be willing to foster their animal, their dog or cat, on a case-by-case basis.”With acres of green space and a few welcoming roommates, like two geese, farm kittens, chickens and a goat, Hanson said he would ensure any animal is healthy and taken care of while their owner does the same. “I’m willing to foster your animal temporarily so you can get the care and the services and rehabilitation you need to ultimately be reunited with your animal when you’re healthy, and then you and your animal can live a healthy life of dignity together,” Hanson said. “People have got to get help first. They’re not helping themselves or their pet if they’re living in these tent encampments.”However, Hanson said he can’t do it alone. “It’s going to take a teamwork approach, but it’s also going to take more people willing to help, because you know, I can only foster one animal at a time,” Hanson said. “I’m going to rely heavily on partnerships with groups like Street Dog Outreach that focuses on the health and wellness of homeless people’s pets. I’m going to focus on the partnerships that we already have with the Nebraska Humane Society, to get to get to make sure that the animals that we foster are healthy and that we do have a secondary plan if the individual decides that they no longer want to want to keep their animal.”Gregory said she hopes others will participate because it’s an idea that could truly make a difference.”If we somehow could put together a wonderful process that we could pair somebody up, who would take care of that? Maybe someone who loves animals and would take that animal in and foster them so that person can get back on their feet and be stabilized. Wow, that would be awesome and amazing,” Gregory said. Hanson said there will be a vetting process. “I think the first step is to have the outreach program that the individuals are working with to contact me directly, and they all know how to get ahold of me,” Hanson said. “If I am contacted by a professional street outreach program or shelter, we’ll sit down. We’ll draw up an agreement and make sure it’s right, because I not only want to foster the animal, but we want to make sure the animal’s healthy. We have to make sure that the animal has all its shots, and it’s a good fit to be fostered.”If you want to help, Hanson said donations are always welcome, but the most important thing is supporting local shelters. “They are the subject matter experts,” Hanson said. “They are the best entry points to getting people healthy and to live a life of dignity.”Gregory said volunteers at Open Door Mission are always needed. NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
An estimated 1,500 people are currently experiencing homelessness in the metro area. Many live in tent encampments throughout Douglas County.
Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson said in his 30 years of law enforcement, he has never seen the number of people living in encampments like he does now.
“I’m concerned about the folks that live in those tents,” Hanson said. “I’m concerned about the folks that live and work around those tents. I’m concerned about the animals that live in those tents.”
Those animals, Hanson said, are often a reason why someone doesn’t seek help.
“We have victims of domestic violence that won’t leave their pet. We have people that live in their cars that won’t leave their pet,” Candace Gregory, president and CEO of Open Door Mission, said. “We have people living in homeless encampments that won’t leave their pets. We hear that every day. It’s not just an animal. It’s a pet. It’s like a fur baby. It’s an extension of the family, and it is a barrier to shelter.”
Hanson said he wants to address that barrier and work to eliminate it.
“I want to give folks like that an option,” Hanson said. “I would be willing to foster their animal, their dog or cat, on a case-by-case basis.”
With acres of green space and a few welcoming roommates, like two geese, farm kittens, chickens and a goat, Hanson said he would ensure any animal is healthy and taken care of while their owner does the same.
“I’m willing to foster your animal temporarily so you can get the care and the services and rehabilitation you need to ultimately be reunited with your animal when you’re healthy, and then you and your animal can live a healthy life of dignity together,” Hanson said. “People have got to get help first. They’re not helping themselves or their pet if they’re living in these tent encampments.”
However, Hanson said he can’t do it alone.
“It’s going to take a teamwork approach, but it’s also going to take more people willing to help, because you know, I can only foster one animal at a time,” Hanson said. “I’m going to rely heavily on partnerships with groups like Street Dog Outreach that focuses on the health and wellness of homeless people’s pets. I’m going to focus on the partnerships that we already have with the Nebraska Humane Society, to get to get to make sure that the animals that we foster are healthy and that we do have a secondary plan if the individual decides that they no longer want to want to keep their animal.”
Gregory said she hopes others will participate because it’s an idea that could truly make a difference.
“If we somehow could put together a wonderful process that we could pair somebody up, who would take care of that? Maybe someone who loves animals and would take that animal in and foster them so that person can get back on their feet and be stabilized. Wow, that would be awesome and amazing,” Gregory said.
Hanson said there will be a vetting process.
“I think the first step is to have the outreach program that the individuals are working with to contact me directly, and they all know how to get ahold of me,” Hanson said. “If I am contacted by a professional street outreach program or shelter, we’ll sit down. We’ll draw up an agreement and make sure it’s right, because I not only want to foster the animal, but we want to make sure the animal’s healthy. We have to make sure that the animal has all its shots, and it’s a good fit to be fostered.”
If you want to help, Hanson said donations are always welcome, but the most important thing is supporting local shelters.
“They are the subject matter experts,” Hanson said. “They are the best entry points to getting people healthy and to live a life of dignity.”
Gregory said volunteers at Open Door Mission are always needed.
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