Emergency Veterinary Care for Pets of the Homeless

At Feeding Pets of the Homeless we serve pets of people experiencing homelessness in all 50 states. While we are not a shelter or a rescue, our headquarters in Carson City, NV, handles thousands of calls each month—over 6,000 last month alone—connecting people and their pets with resources and assistance.

We operate five unique programs:

• Emergency Veterinary Care: Last year, we provided financial assistance for 1,436 dogs, 216 cats, and five other pets (ferret, bird, reptiles) needing urgent medical care. The total cost for this program exceeded $1.1 million.
• Wellness Clinics: We sponsor clinics where veterinarians volunteer to provide vaccinations and basic exams for pets of people experiencing homelessness. We cover the cost of medical supplies.
• Pet Food Donation Sites: We partner with businesses that collect pet food from their clients and deliver it to local food banks for distribution. Since 2008, more than 2.4 million pounds of pet food have been donated.
• Pet Crates for Shelters: We ship metal sleeping crates to domestic violence and homeless shelters across the country, allowing pets and their owners to stay together during times of crisis.
• Support for Veterans: We assist veterans by covering the cost of vaccinations and spay/neuter services, helping them and their pets transition into permanent housing through the VA’s Homeless Veterans programs.

Helping one person might not change the world but it could change the world for one person and their pet.

Hi, my name is Lola! My dad (Daniel) and I are experiencing homelessness. My dad is a disabled Veteran; he gets SSI and food stamps (which doesn’t allow the purchase of dog food). We have been sleeping in our truck for the last five months. I started losing weight and getting lesions on my body that started to break open and bleed. The case manager at the Veterans Village verified that we are experiencing homelessness to Feeding Pets of the Homeless' case manager. 

Feeding Pets of the Homeless approved an exam at a local San Diego hospital so we could find out what was wrong and get treatment. After the exam, x-rays, blood panel, cytology and histopathology (to diagnose the nature of lumps and bumps) they scheduled surgery a few days later. After the surgery, I went back to my dad with pain meds, an antibiotic, the dreaded e-collar and a suture removal appointment.  

Thanks to Feeding Pets of The Homeless, I am now back to playing in the sun and doing tricks for my dad. We are so grateful for all the help and kindness everyone came together and displayed.

Feeding Pets of the Homeless contributed $1,070 to my care.

Links:

• Feeding Pets of the Homeless
• Wellness Clinic video