Mission
Feeding Pets of the Homeless® believes in the healing power of companion pets and of the human/ animal bond, which is vital to the lives of many people experiencing homelessness. We harness the bond between animals and people and change their lives for the better by helping keep these pets safe, healthy, and together with their loving human caretakers. Assisting homeless guardians in maintaining their pets on the road prevents these much-loved family members from having to be relinquished to a potential high-kill animal shelter, a heartbreaking decision that many face. Our primary goal, nationwide and purpose are to provide relief to people experiencing homelessness and their pets in the form of food, resources, emergency care and support.
More about this organization
When families become homeless, their pets do too. Over half of US households are a paycheck away from experiencing homelessness. We estimate that up to 33% of people experiencing homelessness on any given night are traveling with their pet companions. Companion animals are often the only support, comfort, protection and warmth that a person experiencing homelessness may have.
Our five unique programs include:
Emergency Veterinary Care – Faced with little or no income, coupled with the uncertainty of where they will sleep each night, the homeless have no funds when their pet requires emergency treatment for an acute illness or injury. Our Emergency Veterinary Care program provides free care that the guardian could not otherwise provide, paying the veterinary hospital directly for pre-approved treatment. Our network of over 2,000 veterinary hospitals goes above and beyond to help pets who are ill or injured and need treatment.
Free Pet Food – The program that started it all focuses on collecting pet food donations from community members and distributing them to food banks, encampments, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters that allow pets. When demand is high, we sometimes purchase and ship food where it is needed. Since 2008, Feeding Pets has provided over 2.3 million pounds of food through our pet food providers, at a fair market value of over $5.7 million.
Veteran Pet Support – Nearly 10% of pet owners are veterans. We provide relief to veterans and their pets by providing adequate food and veterinary care resources for their friend, emotional support, and often, service animal. We serve veterans who are homeless as well as those participating in the HUD-VASH program, who are working with case managers to maintain their housing and healthcare appointments. This program serves the chronically homeless veterans who are most vulnerable and often have severe mental or physical health problems and limited access to other social supports. Members of the program get the veterinary care and vaccinations necessary for their pets so they can get into housing, together.
Wellness Clinics are held at a location that already serves the homeless population, such as a food pantry. Feeding Pets of the Homeless sponsors and partners with veterinarians to provide these free clinics. The veterinarian and technicians donate their time and expertise, and Feeding Pets of the Homeless underwrites the costs of medical supplies. The clinics typically offer vaccinations, basic exams, minor treatment and medications, vouchers for spay or neuter surgeries, nail trimmings, and ear cleaning.
We also offer free Pet Crates to Homeless and Domestic Violence Shelters that will allow a pet to stay with the owner. Pet crates are ordered online and shipped directly to the shelter at no cost to the pet owner or shelter. The crates become the property of the shelter for future use. Often, this is the only option to get someone into a shelter – they will not leave their friend behind.
During the last 5 years 2019 – 2024 we paid seven invoices to veterinary hospitals in Boulder County. 4 in Boulder City for $1,432 and 3 in Longmont for $824
Other ways to help
This link describes the many ways you can volunteer to help!
https://petsofthehomeless.org/get-help/how-we-help/volunteer-opportunities/