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Dear ,
We hope that you are doing well in this recession. World news, plus the bad economy has people reducing their spending, giving, travelling, vacations, and fun. Pets of the Homeless is keeping up the momentum going; surviving and staying optimistic by being innovative. We are starting new projects and continue to award grants to veterinarians for the care of pets of the homeless.
Pets of the Homeless 2009 Annual Report and 2009 (990-EZ) Short Form Return of Organization Exempt Form Income Tax is posted on the website for your review. Revenues from 2008 were down slightly and expenses were up. Many collection sites did not report the amount of pet food they collected during 2009 so the figures reflected, are down 24% which makes total revenues down.
The good news, awards to veterinarians that gave care to pets of the homeless during the last two years was up 145%. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to you, the many donors, the veterinarians and volunteer staff for time, money and dedication.
We have tightened our belts and continue to operate without any paid staff. Volunteers are the backbone of the organization and we are eternally grateful.
We send all our best to you and yours.
Pets of the Homeless - Board of Directors and Officers |
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Read for Scruffy
A third grade girl took a printout from the Feeding Pets of the Homeless website, to her teacher at The Wilson School in New Jersey. The student was very upset about the quality of life pets of the homeless must endure. She asked if the class could raise money to help.
Ms Bridget Sooley, the teacher, enlisted the aid of the fourth grade to start a reading fundraiser, "Read for Rover." Each student asked friends and neighbors to make a donation for every book the student read. In a few short months, they sent a check for $165 to Feeding Pets of the Homeless with hopes it would help. This year the third and fourth graders raised $109.
Inspired, Pets of the Homeless began the "Read for Scruffy" program to encourage children to read while offering lessons on compassion and philanthropy through class discussion. It is a simple program. Teachers print out a compelling photo(s) from Pets of the Homeless website to begin a class discussion. Students are asked if they have seen a similar situation and how they would help that person.
The teacher introduces "Read for Scruffy" to raise money to help provide pet food, veterinary care and sleeping compartments to homeless shelters. Each child is given a flyer, provided by Pets of the Homeless, and a sign-up sheet. As part of the project, the teacher may have a poster contest to help students illustrate the needs of pets of the homeless. The winning poster will be featured on the Pets of the Homeless website where there will also be a list of the participating schools, classes involved and class photos.
The teacher decides the duration of the project and upon completion mails a check to Feeding Pets of the Homeless.
Pets of the Homeless sends grateful appreciation to the third grade girl, her teacher and all the students who read to raise money to help pets of the homeless. |
Your Donations at Work
Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter of Davis (IRWS) is an emergency winter shelter comprised of congregations and community groups in the City of Davis, CA. This innovative organization is comprised of 620 volunteers who coordinate services to provide shelter for those in need.
In its first year of operation, they provided shelter for 81 different homeless guests, served 1,229 hot evening meals and sustained the program with 493 volunteers. In its second year, IRWS provided 102 different guests, served 2,083 hot evening meals and sustained the program with 623 volunteers. They tripled previous emergency shelter bed capacity in the City of Davis.
With help from Feeding Pets of the Homeless, IRWS has secured steady pet food donations and partnered with a veterinarian clinic, the Mercer Clinic, who agreed to service incoming pets. Enormous community response, dedicated volunteers, the growing number of congregational participation are all key to IRWS success in serving the homeless in their community.
Pets of the Homeless donated $500 to help with costs associated with providing supplies and medical care for pets of the homeless who stay in the rotating winter shelters in Davis. Pets of the Homeless gives kudos to every participant in this wonderful outreach program for their exceptional achievement.
Inspired by IRWS, Pets of the Homeless is preparing to begin a new grant program to homeless shelters. Pets of the Homeless Crate Project will purchase and ship sleeping compartments, bowls and cleaning supplies, upon request, to shelters willing to allow the homeless to be sheltered with their pets.
Update from February Newsletter
Kevin Stoothoff, DMV from South Ocala Animal Clinic in Florida sent a check to Pets of the Homeless for $874.30 from money donated at his clinics.
Dr. Stoothoff explained the grants they received from Pets of the Homeless helped significantly with expenses incurred for medication and equipment to care for the pets they see and treat at the Interfaith Homeless Shelter every other Wednesday.
From June to December 2009, 3 doctors, 2-4 staff assistants and 3-8 volunteers saw and treated or vaccinated 141 dogs, 51 cats and 3 other companion pets; distributed approximately 3506 lbs. of dog and cat food (all donated), 2 dog coats, 18 dog/cat leases/collars and 27 toys. All totaled to 151 volunteer hours. Animals continue to show up each week and donations continue to come in.
The South Ocala Animal Clinic volunteers plan to develop files for each person assisted with food and services to keep more accessible records on site while providing services. Pictures are taken of animals with owners and food distribution is now limited to those who register and have pets.
Pets of the Homeless sent another $800 grant to the South Ocala Animal Clinic so they can continue their service at the Interfaith homeless shelter.
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 Kathi Giurlani is a Board Member of Pets of the Homeless. She is a registered nurse and pet advocate. She is the Editor of this newsletter.
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| Tent Cities
The National Coalition for the Homeless announces the first in a series of reports on the growing number of tent cities across the United States. The new report released today is focusing on west coast encampments. Tent Cities in America: A Pacific Coast Report looks at how current tent cities have emerged and operate on a daily basis, highlighting the community organizing efforts at work within these settlements and the growing need for affordable and accessible housing nationwide.
As the United States continues to react to the worst economy since the Great Depression, both leading and lagging indicators of this crisis continue to grow. Home foreclosures, unemployment, and the regional poverty rates continue to rise, as newly homelessness families see a double digit increase.
44% of people experiencing homelessness in America are unsheltered (USHUD 2009). A growing number of unsheltered Americans are congregating in tent cities for safety, community and as locations of last resort.
"Tent Cities are American's de facto waiting room for affordable and accessible housing. The idea of someone living in a tent in this country says little about the decisions made by those who dwell within and so much more about our nation's inability to adequately respond to our fellow residents in need." - Neil Donovan, National Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director.
This report is the first in a series of National Coalition for the Homeless publications that explore the tent city phenomenon. In future reports, NCH will profile homeless encampments nationwide and include a section on policy recommendations for local, regional and national policy and decision makers.
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Feeding Pets of the Homeless is doing business as Pets of the Homeles. The new name better captures the essence and spirit of the nonprofit. |
April Calendar
April 3 - Saturday
Free Shot Clinic in Camden City, NJ at 3rd & Federal Fire Station from 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m.
April 17- Saturday
Pets of the Homeless will be in Reno, NV at the Super Pet Adoption, Walmart parking lot, 4855 S. Kietzke Lane from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 1 - Saturday
Free Shot Clinic in Camden City, NJ at 3rd & Federal Fire Station from 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m.
June Calendar
June 12 - Saturday Pets of the Homeless will be at the Phoenix Pet Expo at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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