Feeding Pets of the Homeless is a nonprofit member organization that provides pet food and veterinarian care to the homeless and less fortunate in local communities across the United States and Canada. 

Grants are awarded to:

·  A licensed veterinarian in the state in which services will be rendered or;

A exempt organization with a 501 ( c)(3) status in its own name or;

·  An instrumentality of a state or local government as provided by Section 170 ( c)(1) of the Code.

To apply for guidelines and an application send an email to info@petsofhomeless.org  Include the veterinarian's name, hospital/clinic, address and phone number.

We are pleased to announce the recipients of our ongoing grant program.  

- October 2008, Dr. Kevin Stoothoff, South Ocala Animal Clinic, Ocala, Florida will implement a pilot program in the area.  “I am excited to apply for this grant.  Our community, like so many others, has many homeless people, who are unable to afford veterinary care or pet food.” wrote Dr. Stoothoff. 

His objective is to help the pets which belong to the indigent people of Ocala.  He will be working with two local agencies, Brothers Keeper and Interfaith, giving professional examinations, vaccines and minor medical treatment to dogs and cats weekly.

- October 2008, Dr. David Slocum of Hazel Dell Animal Hospital runs a health clinic for pets of the homeless and low income families at Share House a local homeless shelter.  He and his wife see approximately 20-40 pets each session.

- October 2008, Dr. Wolf’s Animal Medical Center, Dr. John E’Esopo of Dedham, Massachusetts, plans are to set up a clinic and if they find that there is a great unmet need for care of pets of the homeless they will attempt to have these clinics on a routine basis at a local homeless shelter.  Their objective is to reach as many needy pets, providing them with physical examinations, updating them on their vaccinations, screening them for diseases that are of community health significance (canine heartworm disease, feline leukemia virus).  They will also provide relief for minor problems such as skin issues, ear infections and they will be trying to educate pet owners and provide help with any questions or concerns about the health of their pets.

- October 2008, Animal Medicine and Surgery Clinic, Dr. Ronald Chaikin of Brooklyn, New York will be using the funds so that his clinic will not be forced to turn away approximately 40 animals a week due to financial difficulties of the homeless and low income families in the area.  Low income housing and apartment housing projects in his area are extremely strict and require pets to be up-to-date on vaccinations and care, including a current Rabies vaccination and also must be spayed/neutered.  This presents a hardship for many of these well-meaning families because they cannot afford to properly immunize and spay/neuter their pets as they are financially compromised. 

“Many of these owners are elderly and alone and the only love and companionship they receive is from their pets.” wrote Dr. Chaikin.

- October 2008, Best Friends Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Suzanna Brown of Mays Landing, New Jersey will be working in conjunction with the Atlantic City Rescue Mission to hold a monthly clinic at the mission to give physical exams, rabies vaccinations, flea treatments, and grooming if necessary along with a collar and ID tag to pets of the homeless and those below the national poverty level in the area. 

- October 2008, Dr. Lisa Levin, Spay Neuter Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona intends to provide wellness/preventive medical care in addition to minor medical/surgical care for an estimated population of 50-75 animals belonging to homeless individuals living at or very near to the downtown homeless shelter. The volunteers at the homeless shelter have offered their time to help and if necessary provide transportation to the clinic if more intense medical pet care is needed.

- March 2008, Grove Way Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Russell Hackler of Castro Valley, California has been treating a homeless woman’s dog that she rescued from a pit bull dog fighting ring.  The neutered male canine has been suffering with a distressing case of yeast infection.  If left untreated he would have passed away.   

By Molly Dill

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