I love what you do!
When I was first out of school, we had a homeless man named Bill. He had a German Shepard that went everywhere with him. Every year he would come in for his rabies shot and would pay us $5 because he wouldn't take charity.
The SPCA took his dog away because he didn't provide shelter for it. Bill didn't have shelter, for goodness sake. I told the investigator that he took good care of the dog and kept it vaccinated etc. but he wouldn't budge.
I was just so angry at the pompousness of the SPCA. That was 20 years ago and they have come a long way and help protect pets now. But at the time they thought they were doing that dog such a big favor.
Once Bill lost the dog he lost touch with reality and became more and more delusional, it was very, very sad. He and Bill were just fine together. I remember him when I think of the homeless and their pets, this is important work.
Dr. Martin works at Animal ER in Mobile, AL, they are a collection site. Dr. Martin is a previous grant recipient and has helped many pets of homeless first in Florida and now in Alabama.
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Donations at Work
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Can you just imagine a free veterinary clinic for those in need happening on a weekly basis? It's true. The Mission Free Veterinary Clinic provides basic veterinary care to help with the pets of homeless and people in transition with pets. The clinic is solely supported by donations which have dropped off for the last 2 years. With two veterinarians, four volunteers, and a total of 50 hours from August - November, 2010: 97 dogs, 103 cats, and 1 guinea pig were seen, treated or vaccinated. Cathy Tucker, DVM, who is actively "retired" said, "We feel blessed to be able to provide basic pet care to many of the homeless and low income people in the Spokane area. Our plan is to continue to provide this weekly clinic as long as we have funding to meet expenses." Dr. Tucker had never applied for a grant until she found Pets of the Homeless mentioned in Veterinary Practice News. She thought she would see if help for their clinic was possible. Genevieve Frederick, Founder/Director of Pets of the Homeless, said, "We were more than happy to provide a grant to help defray costs for this selfless outreach. Dr. Tucker has been providing such clinics since 1998. Her caring dedication serves as an example of what one person with a dream can accomplish. We only wish we could do more."
Mission Free Veterinary Clinic in Spokane, WA. received $400 grant awarded by Pets of the Homeless
Dr. Tucker and clinic were featured on NBC Nightly News, "Making a Difference" segment with Brian Williams. They do their work at the Union Gospel Mission for Men in Spokane, WA on Wednesdays, 10am - 11:45am each week.
Besides caring for these animals, they distributed: flea collars, collars, deworming medication, 30 pounds and 20 cans of pet food. Such kindness and professionalism has lightened the financial and emotional burden for thousands over the years.
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