Emergency Veterinary Care for Pets of the Homeless

The issue of homelessness is foremost on my mind probably because we work with people experiencing homelessness daily.

For those not familiar with Point in Time (PIT) count data that is reported to Congress every year, it is a way for agencies and cities to see if homeless has increased or decreased. The report is lengthy. Here is a link to a summary. Here you can find more in-depth reports. Unfortunately, the counts do not include questions regarding pets.

More and more cities are refusing to publicly release their PIT count, which makes the report inaccurate. In the years that I have been watching these reports, it occurs to me and others that the count is flawed. Many homeless move into hiding for fear of arrest or are mentally ill and paranoid about interacting with people.

The explanation for homelessness is complicated, every person experiencing homelessness has a story. We do not ask for their story but sometimes they want an ear.

The public perception is mental illness and/or addictions are the causes of homelessness. But there is so much more at play….

Economic: inadequate or irregular work hours, unemployment, lack of benefits, spouse overseas or incarcerated, subsidized housing wait lists (that can be years long), substandard housing, foreclosure, rent burden, high application fees, lack of affordable house, overcrowding lease violation, lack of safety net, Illegal evictions, debt, utility security deposits, car troubles, repo, fraud/theft, lack of bank access, eviction records, debt collectors’ practices, storage unit woes, access to food and food costs.

Personal: family issues of divorce, lack of childcare, generational poverty, LGBTQA, aging to 18 in foster care, unplanned pregnancy, caretaker, partner, spouse dies/leaves, no access to care or meds, chronic illness, disabilities, race discrimination, hoarding, no insurance, health crisis, trauma, violence, abuse.

Circumstances: natural disasters, red tape bureaucracy, gentrification, high mobility, lack of internet and computer, lack of social network, lack transportation, dangerous neighborhood, inadequate schools.

Legal: prison record, immigration, tickets, fines, sex offender

Having a pet while being homeless may offer comfort, warmth, and protection. Still, the challenges of obtaining shelter in the cold or heat, locating pet food, and getting veterinary help when the pet is ill or injured can be overwhelming.

Most homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters do not allow pets. Food banks are low on pet food. Many veterinary hospitals will not offer free care. This is where we come in. We have five programs that provide people experiencing homelessness with pets the help to get pet food and veterinary care.

With your support, we can provide for these fur babies. The pets that mean so much to their people, their family. The love is evident in the many homeless we speak to every day.

Links:

• Feeding Pets of the Homeless

During the last 15 years, the nonprofit has evolved and grown. We saw many challenges. Yet we were able to forge ahead. During 2022, we treated 1,258 pets of people who were and are experiencing homelessness.

If you have a pet, you have also seen that Inflation has risen for veterinary care. We had a good rainy day fund to be able to continue to offer emergency veterinary care.

Mark and Smokey have been living in a tent for the past three months in Sacramento CA. Currently, Mark has zero income and does not receive any government assistance. He does have a car.

In early December, Mark reached out to Feeding Pets of the Homeless for his 4-year-old male German Shepard, Smokey.
While walking by the American River, Smokey chased a coyote and ultimately fell into the river.

Smokey had a severe wound on his back and started shaking. He was unable to place weight on his right front leg.
An intake interview was completed, and homeless verification was provided by an outreach worker from Sacramento County.

We were able to get an appointment that day and an exam was approved at a local veterinary hospital. Following completion of the exam and x-rays, Smokey did not have a fractured leg. The large gash on his back was treated and repaired with stitches. He was given pain meds, an anti-inflammatory and an antibiotic.
Feeding Pets of the Homeless contributed $975 towards Smokey's care.

“I want to say thank you so much for helping me with my German shepherd and his leg. I owe you people. Thank you so much”

We wish Mark and Smokey the best and worry about them during the flooding in the Sacramento area.

Links:

• Feeding Pets of the Homeless
• About Us Video