Understanding and accessing the continuum of human/animal support services: A scoping review
Abstract Background: Approximately 66% of US households have companion animals (CAs); the majority view them as family (American Pet Products Association, 2023–2024). During economic, health, housing, and other crises, people and CAs become vulnerable to “involuntary separation” and associated risks...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
CABI
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | Human-Animal Interactions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0037 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849229148708405248 |
|---|---|
| author | Lisa Townsend Grace Phillips Janet Hoy-Gerlach Heather Cammisa |
| author_facet | Lisa Townsend Grace Phillips Janet Hoy-Gerlach Heather Cammisa |
| author_sort | Lisa Townsend |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background: Approximately 66% of US households have companion animals (CAs); the majority view them as family (American Pet Products Association, 2023–2024). During economic, health, housing, and other crises, people and CAs become vulnerable to “involuntary separation” and associated risks. Human-animal support services (HA/SS) exist to keep human-animal families together. Yet, little research describes existing HA/SS services. This scoping review used Arksey and O’Malley’s framework to (1) create an initial map of HA/SS organizations in the United States (number and location); (2) describe their funding structure, (3) document the types of services provided, and (4) provide recommendations for expanding HA/SS. Methods: We reviewed academic and online HA/SS resources using Web of Science (Clarivate) for academic publications, Google site search (.org and .edu domains) for websites, and the Pethelpfinder.org clearinghouse. Organizations were included if they described US-based programs that offered interventions to prevent involuntary separation. HA/SS organizations identified by academic or Google site search were analyzed to identify geographic locations, services offered, funding sources, and population served. We compared the number of HA/SS programs identified by each search. Results: Clarivate identified 950 peer-reviewed journal abstracts and nine organizations. An additional 86 HA/SS agencies were uncovered by Google search. In comparison, Pethelpfinder.org revealed 481 organizations. HA/SS “resource deserts” were identified, largely concentrated in the Western USA. The majority (70%, n = 66) of HA/SS were initiated by non-profit animal welfare agencies; the minority originated in the human service sector. Few (5%, n = 5) involve joint collaborations between animal- and human-services. Interventions ranged from comprehensive medical, veterinary, and psychosocial services to single supports such as pet food banks. Most organizations depend upon charitable contributions; few receive local, state, or federal funds. HA/SS clients ranged from low-income families to people with immunosuppression, unhoused individuals, and those experiencing crises. Conclusions: The majority of HA/SS originates in the animal welfare sector. Clearinghouses such as Pethelpfinder.org may be more efficient ways of identifying HA/SS than other sources. Further research is needed to optimize growth of HA/SS and facilitate collaboration across human and animal service sectors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-25f10e78c67744d398d657b86afdaa9d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2957-9538 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | CABI |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Human-Animal Interactions |
| spelling | doaj-art-25f10e78c67744d398d657b86afdaa9d2025-08-22T05:27:02ZengCABIHuman-Animal Interactions2957-95382025-08-0113110.1079/hai.2025.0037Understanding and accessing the continuum of human/animal support services: A scoping reviewLisa Townsend0Grace Phillips1Janet Hoy-Gerlach2Heather Cammisa3Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23284, United States;Animal Behavior and Welfare Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, United States;Open Door Veterinary Collective, 1419 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC, 28806, United StatesOpen Door Veterinary Collective, 1419 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC, 28806, United StatesAbstract Background: Approximately 66% of US households have companion animals (CAs); the majority view them as family (American Pet Products Association, 2023–2024). During economic, health, housing, and other crises, people and CAs become vulnerable to “involuntary separation” and associated risks. Human-animal support services (HA/SS) exist to keep human-animal families together. Yet, little research describes existing HA/SS services. This scoping review used Arksey and O’Malley’s framework to (1) create an initial map of HA/SS organizations in the United States (number and location); (2) describe their funding structure, (3) document the types of services provided, and (4) provide recommendations for expanding HA/SS. Methods: We reviewed academic and online HA/SS resources using Web of Science (Clarivate) for academic publications, Google site search (.org and .edu domains) for websites, and the Pethelpfinder.org clearinghouse. Organizations were included if they described US-based programs that offered interventions to prevent involuntary separation. HA/SS organizations identified by academic or Google site search were analyzed to identify geographic locations, services offered, funding sources, and population served. We compared the number of HA/SS programs identified by each search. Results: Clarivate identified 950 peer-reviewed journal abstracts and nine organizations. An additional 86 HA/SS agencies were uncovered by Google search. In comparison, Pethelpfinder.org revealed 481 organizations. HA/SS “resource deserts” were identified, largely concentrated in the Western USA. The majority (70%, n = 66) of HA/SS were initiated by non-profit animal welfare agencies; the minority originated in the human service sector. Few (5%, n = 5) involve joint collaborations between animal- and human-services. Interventions ranged from comprehensive medical, veterinary, and psychosocial services to single supports such as pet food banks. Most organizations depend upon charitable contributions; few receive local, state, or federal funds. HA/SS clients ranged from low-income families to people with immunosuppression, unhoused individuals, and those experiencing crises. Conclusions: The majority of HA/SS originates in the animal welfare sector. Clearinghouses such as Pethelpfinder.org may be more efficient ways of identifying HA/SS than other sources. Further research is needed to optimize growth of HA/SS and facilitate collaboration across human and animal service sectors.http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0037human-animal bondcompanion animalsinvoluntary surrenderhuman-animal support services |
| spellingShingle | Lisa Townsend Grace Phillips Janet Hoy-Gerlach Heather Cammisa Understanding and accessing the continuum of human/animal support services: A scoping review Human-Animal Interactions human-animal bond companion animals involuntary surrender human-animal support services |
| title | Understanding and accessing the continuum of human/animal support services: A scoping review |
| title_full | Understanding and accessing the continuum of human/animal support services: A scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Understanding and accessing the continuum of human/animal support services: A scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding and accessing the continuum of human/animal support services: A scoping review |
| title_short | Understanding and accessing the continuum of human/animal support services: A scoping review |
| title_sort | understanding and accessing the continuum of human animal support services a scoping review |
| topic | human-animal bond companion animals involuntary surrender human-animal support services |
| url | http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0037 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lisatownsend understandingandaccessingthecontinuumofhumananimalsupportservicesascopingreview AT gracephillips understandingandaccessingthecontinuumofhumananimalsupportservicesascopingreview AT janethoygerlach understandingandaccessingthecontinuumofhumananimalsupportservicesascopingreview AT heathercammisa understandingandaccessingthecontinuumofhumananimalsupportservicesascopingreview |