Feeding Pets of the Homeless

I would like to introduce you to an organization I ran across; I plan to do several stories on them in the future. It is a group out of Carson City, Nevada called Feeding Pets of the Homeless. I’ve been in contact with them and feel they are doing something very few organized groups, if any, are doing. This non-profit volunteer agency provides food and veterinarian care to the homeless, and less fortunate across the nation. The beneficiaries of this group are large. If you remember my articles on domestic violence and animal abuse, and also the article on foreclosure pets you will know about two of the groups they help. Many domestic violence victims, especially those with pets, end up on the streets for the lack of anywhere else to go. Very few shelters allow pets. And with today’s economy being as bad as we’ve seen in a LONG time, many pets are being discarded onto the streets due to the financial hardships of their owners. All agencies that deal with either animals or people are feeling the impact. It is huge. There is never enough of anything to go around.

Feeding the Pets of the Homeless collects food through volunteer collection sites and delivers it to food pantries and soup kitchens that agree to distribute it to those in need. At these locations a person in need can receive a hot meal and a small bag of pet food for their pet. Many of the homeless (up to 24%) are trying to take care of the discarded animals on the streets. For some, it is the only family they have. Through their headquarters in Carson City, NV this group organizes the volunteer locations, accepts cash donations, and disburses grants to veterinarians that agree to work with this program. They have no advertising budget, so it is strictly through word of mouth that the program grows and is successful.

They are presently in the beginning stages of a food drive to collect 75,000lbs of pet food nationwide to be distributed to those in need. I will keep you updated on their progress, and on some of the people and animals they are helping. They have information on their site about getting  involved with this program as a volunteer or veterinarian. You could become a volunteer collection location and really make a contribution to this worthwhile cause. I would love to hear from anyone that knows of a group around here that does anything similar.  They list collection sites and vets on their webpage-there are approximately five in Illinois (by Chicago) and two in Kansas City, MO.  Not nearly enough. St. Louis, anybody there?

For more information or to volunteer, visit their site below. They have a wonderful quote on their site I would like to borrow-
 

Never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or an animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thanks for reading and check back for more on this great group. My thanks and support goes to Genevieve Frederick, Founder/Executive Director of this organization. Keep up the great work.

 http://www.petsofhomeless.org/

Contact Information

Executive Director/Founder

    Genevieve Frederick

              

Telephone   (775) 841-7463

FAX             (775) 841-7163

Address     Feeding Pets of the Homeless

          2255 Waterford

                  Carson City, NV 89703

Electronic mail

info@petsofhomeless.org