Caring for Pets of the Homeless

Volunteers bring the food from the collection sites to be distributed at food banks, soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Sometimes, they take the food directly to the streets where they have seen homeless people with pets.

"Collection and distribution sites multiplied," says Frederick, who spends 30 to 40 hours a week working in the organization's Carson City office and speaking with groups to create awareness about homeless people with pets. "To my amazement, the organization quickly evolved into the nonprofit it is today." Pets of the Homeless now has 288 collection sites and 256 distribution sites in 39 states, and a few collection and distribution sites in Canada.

Cash donations, as well as pet food, have been pouring in, despite the hard economic times. The organization uses the funds to award grants to veterinarians who hold free clinics in areas where homeless people congregate.

In addition to helping pets of chronically homeless people, Pets for the Homeless also steps in when natural disasters strike. Donations also pay for animals' sleeping crates, which some shelters are beginning to allow in areas prone to natural disasters. Since Hurricane Katrina, agencies realize that people don't want to leave their pets behind when disaster strikes.

Need is great

The number of homeless people with pets continues to grow because of the troubled economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 14.1 million Americans are unemployed, and loss of jobs often results in loss of homes. While many homeless individuals live in shelters, nearly four out of 10 live on the street or some other unsuitable place.

Frederick, who has an English setter named Kaiya, understands fully the bond between pets and their owners. To fulfill her mission of helping less fortunate pet owners, she has recruited her family. Her husband, Ray, delivers pet food, and her daughter, Renee Lowry, is an officer at Pets of the Homeless. Her three grandchildren, ages 5, 8 and 11, put labels on plastic bags for pet food and mailing labels on envelopes.

"Knowing that pets have a chance to get nutritious food and vet care makes all the years that I've devoted to the program worthwhile," says Frederick. "Pets of the homeless don't choose their owners. But that doesn't matter, as long as they receive attention and love."

Also of interest: Are you overfeeding your pet?  >>

Eleanor Gilman is a writer in New Jersey.