submitted by Julie Grant
 
The man and woman timidly approached the van as donated pet food was unloaded.  I was in Dallas, Texas, tossing packages of dog food to the helper at The Bridge, a homeless shelter run by the City and located near the heart of downtown. I glanced toward them and noticed that they were dressed a bit better than the usual homeless person. I stopped and motioned to the helper to continue loading the food onto a rolling tray on the opposite side of the van.
 
"Are you giving away pet food?" the woman's voice trembled as she spoke. I nodded a yes.
 
"Umm," she hesitated.
 
"Do you need some?"
 
"Well, we're not homeless, but we have two German Shepherds and we're trying to get food stamps." Her husband broke in, "We're both out of jobs and have been looking for months, but no luck." He hung his head.
 
I smiled and said, "Sure! No problem." I stuck my head in the van and pulled out two 33 lb packages of dry dog food. With two large dogs, they would need a good amount. Their eyes widened and they looked at each other. I raised my eyebrows in question, and again, she responded with a hushed voice, "We took the bus."
 
"Well, we have smaller packages, but I think you need more than that for two German Shepherds. Where do you live?"
 
"A relative is letting us stay in their rental home for free until...well, until something changes. It's over there." His arm swung wide in a northeasterly direction. They told me that both had good jobs before they were laid off, but had gone through their small savings quick and depleted their list of people willing to help. He confided they would be homeless if a job wasn't found in a couple of weeks. I asked them to wait until we were finished. Our curbside conversation was long enough to determine they were being honest. Although I didn't have a job for them, I had transportation.
 
The helper and I shook hands in gratitude for his work, and the couple was ushered into the van. The woman sat up front and the man took a seat in the back. Once buckled in, the conversation was full of information about the two, including hopes and dreams for the future. They had made plans in case the problem escalated to homelessness - they would find their way to The Bridge and see what could be done. Their deep fear was having to give up the dogs because they couldn't feed them.
 
We pulled up in front of a very modest small home. It was at least 30 years since it was new and the needed maintenance was obvious. The husband made quick work of unloading both bags and offered his hand. I grabbed it with both of mine and told him I was glad to have met them. I gave him my card and instructions that if things didn't improve, he was to contact me directly and we'd see that the dogs were fed. I gave the woman a hug and with tears in their eyes, they waved goodbye.
 
 I didn't get their names, but I knew that a bigger Hand than mine knew who they were and had brought them to the van at the right time. I whispered a prayer for them and headed for home.
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Julie Grant is a member and area director of Feeding Pets of the Homeless.  She has a group of seven volunteers that pick up donated pet food from a number of collection sites and drives it into Dallas.  She is the owner of The Pet Chauffeur in Irving, TX.   

 

A donation of $25 can vaccinate five dogs or cats for rabies;  $30 can provide heartworm testing for three dogs or cats;  $35 can vaccinate 25 dogs for canine bordatella (kennel cough).  The joy your donation will provide also could save a pet's life.
 

Since 2008, over $15,000 has been awarded to veterinarians to provide basic care to pets of the homeless and poor.

During the upcoming holiday season thousands of organizations are seeking donations for the less fortunate in communities across the country.  Think about the companion pets of the homeless, they are as deprived as the people who care for them.  Pets have no say as to who adopts them.  They rely on those same people to provide for them.  These pets provide comfort and companionship to the homeless. 

You can help.  Donate pet food, flea treatments products, leashes, blankets, and collars.  Perhaps your own pet has had a change in diet or has outgrown that leash.  Tape up that open bag of pet food and take it to your nearest Feeding Pets of the Homeless collection site.  Your donated pet food and items will be distributed to the homeless and disadvantaged in your community. 

To find a collection site go to: Feeding Pets of the Homeless and click on Collection Sites. If you are interestd in starting a collection site, contact us.   

By Kathi Giurlani
 
Feeding Pets of the Homeless provided a $500 grant to NJ Aid for Animals (NJAFA). Kathy McGuire, President, expressed gratitude and said, "By bringing services to the people rather than the people trying to get to the services, we touched more animals at one time and used our energy and resources smarter." She went on to say, "With $500, we were able to give ONE HUNDRED dogs and cats vaccinations."
 
 Kathy's pride and gratitude for the selfless volunteers was impossible to hide as she shared pictures of the event held in Camden, NJ in the summer of 2009. There were 175 dogs and 30 cats seen and treated which included the distribution of 5,300 pounds of food.

130 volunteer hours enabled all vaccines to be given, Frontline Plus vials were "dosed out," two dozen puppies received their first vital shots to prevent Parvo, all collars, leashes and cat carriers were given away.

Kathy reported, "Most of the dogs had fleas and many were very malnourished and anemic. Subcutaneous fluids administered to several of the pups on the mobile surgery van and antibiotics sent home gave hope for the sick animals. Over 53 people signed up to have their pets spayed or neutered and appointments were given."

"Feeding Pets of the Homeless" gives kudos to the 13 high school students from Brimm Medical Arts High School, the animal control officers, nurse, social worker and parolees who gave of their time and talents. We appreciate each of the volunteers from The Atlantic Co. SPCA who brought their Mobile Surgery Van and the private citizens who selflessly donated their time. This was reportedly "...the most well attended animal event in the history of Camden. "
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Kathi Giurlani is a Board Member of Feeding Pets of the Homeless.  She is a registered nurse and pet advocate.