Issue 24 ~~ July 2010
Happy Fourth of July! |
Greetings!
Pets of the Homeless was honored to have an exhibit at the Phoenix Pet Expo. Over 12,000 attended, many with their pets. We were able to spread the word about Feeding Pets of the Homeless and the clinics provided across the country by volunteers. Everyone we spoke with was pleased to hear of an organization that is helping these particular pets. We were told of the many pets seen on the streets in Phoenix with the homeless. Some mentioned taking them food and water.
With such a large homeless population and summer temperatures that reach the triple digits, often as hot as 110 degrees, water and shelter from the heat is vital for all who live there. The homeless and their pets in these extreme temperatures are all the more vulnerable because of their circumstances.
The Phoenix Rescue Mission was grateful to receive the pet food donated at the Expo and will distribute it to the needy there. Many businesses expressed a desire to become collection sites for Pets of the Homeless. The attendance, exposure of our cause and those who expressed a desire to help, made the show a wonderful success for Pets of the Homeless.
 
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Free Vets for Pets
Tara M. Klimovitz, DVM
Essex Middle River Veterinary Center
The Free Vets for Pets event was held in Baltimore, MD on May 22-23, 2010. I publicized the event through local community papers, postcards, and press releases to local news stations. And the response was overwhelming. I had an idea that my community could benefit from such an outreach event, but the pet owners who showed up four hours before the doors opened confirmed the desperate situation they face with their pets. For a weekend, I spent six hours a day with pet owners unable to afford routine veterinary care, and in some cases, this was the first their pet had ever been examined by a veterinarian. Although these owners faced financial instability, they provided love and affection for their dogs and cats. It felt good to see some of the stress leave their faces as they left the event with a vaccinated, dewormed, and in some cases a flea/tick protected animal. It didn't matter to some that they didn't know where they were sleeping that night because they had food in their hands for their pets. Senior citizens said they would now make their own medications a priority since their pets were taken care of. Tears of gratitude were shed and a community bond was formed - one which I hope to continue each year.   As they waited to be seen, these pet owners took it upon themselves to donate what change they had in their pockets which - over the two days and 196 dogs and cats treated - amounted to over $200. Over half of the pets we examined had not been spayed/neutered due to financial constraints, so this owner-donated money will now be put into a fund to help spay and neuter those 96 pets that need this surgery.
In summary, the Pets of the Homeless Grant turned into the first annual Free Vets for Pets. The community will be able to count on us each year for their pets health and well-being.
146 Dogs
52 cats
149 pounds of pet food was distributed
Volunteers included: 2 doctors, 2 technicians, 4 veterinary staff and 6 senior center volunteers
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'Care2' Making a Difference
Randy Paynter started Care2 in 1998. His idea is to make it easy for us to live a healthy, green lifestyle and impact causes we care most about. Randy had an overwhelming desire to make a difference and believes the power to make a positive change in the world is within each of us.
Launching Care2 from his tiny apartment and joined by Matt McGlynn, Chief Technology Officer, and Camilla Eriksson, Vice President of eCards, a dream began to turn into a reality. Today there are more than 50 employees, 11 million members, 400 nonprofit partners and hundreds of responsible advertisers making a difference in the world.
A Care2 petition begun in Australia to help "many wonderful animals" that live with the homeless has reached the Philippines, Canada, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Russian Federation, Venezuela and the United States. Its goal: "HELP Homeless Pets ~ Open More Free Vet Clinics."
The petition urges the United States Government to follow the lead of the Canadian Government and set aside funds necessary to create more clinics to allow access to free Vet Care, food and temporary shelter for the animals of the homeless.
The Ottawa Mission in Canada makes it easier for the homeless to care for their pets. A group of Veterinarians and volunteers, for the last 7 years, has seen 1,100 animals at their free clinic. Dr. Michelle Lem set up the clinic with help from other volunteers and donated supplies. She said, "Although many animals may need grooming or have minor infections, the majority seen are overall in good shape. Homeless people love their pets, too."
The petition states, "Homeless people's pets aren't homeless," their owners show love and dedicated care for their animals. One story mentioned an elderly woman who arrived at the clinic in a motorized wheelchair on a winter day with a huge blanket draped over her. Beneath the blanket were 6 cats tucked into 3 cat carriers a friend had strapped around her legs. She hid them in order to take the bus to the clinic. Dr. Lem said, "People will access veterinary care maybe before their own health." Often free vet clinics for the homeless provide an opportunity to help the homeless access other needed services.
Genevieve Frederick, Founder/Director of Pets of the Homeless, is pleased with all efforts on behalf of pets of the homeless everywhere. "Working on behalf of pets of the homeless has made me keenly aware of the countless, caring people around the world who quietly enhance and change lives as they help those less fortunate." |
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Kathi Giurlani, a Board Member of Pets of the Homeless, is a registered nurse and pet advocate. She is the Editor of this newsletter. |
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Please let us know what types of stories and articles you enjoy most. Your suggestions are most welcome, very appreciated and will help make the newsletter more interesting for everyone.
To assure that you receive our newsletters and other messages, please add our email address director@petsofhomeless.org to your address book or safe senders list. |
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| Many ways you can help |  | |
Total pounds of pet food collected and distributed since 2008
Calendar
June 23-July 10, Pet Food Drive at DIRECTV Los Angeles Broadcast Center, 12800 Culver Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
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