News from Pets of the Homeless Issue 35

Providing Pet Food & Veterinary Care

Issue 35 ~~ June 2011

Greetings!

Pets of Homeless receives daily pleas for help. Homelessness catapults lives into turmoil in many ways. Those responsible for children and pets face despair head-on as they try to figure what to do, how to provide and survive. Moments are filled with panic.

Children find themselves uprooted from the only security they've ever known. Still, they manage to find solace as they wrap young arms around the family pet. Parents have heard of shelters for families but few are willing to include the family pet. Fearful children cry when they hear parents talk of leaving the family pet at an animal shelter. Emotions are raw and vulnerability feels insurmountable.

Libraries provide computers for community use free of charge. The homeless have access as they search for jobs, shelters, and resources. Pets of the Homeless receives letters daily from those facing difficult circumstances.

We are always looking to expand services for pets of the homeless across the United States and Canada. Please help us in this outreach.

Ellie wrote from Bonners Ferry

A history of abuse, homelessness at the age of 15, poverty and difficult life experiences has brought "Ellie" to her own personal outreach to Pets of the Homeless to help pets of the homeless.

Ellie explains:

I left home at the age of 15 because of extreme abuse. It was better for me to live homeless and on the streets than to remain in constant abuse from my dysfunctional family. I have struggled for many years through abusive situations and poor choices. We all tend to live what we know.

The last 25 years has brought many challenges. I'm with a man who suffered brain damage 13 years ago. I made a promise I would be there for him. It has been a roller coaster ride that has included many difficult times. Brain damage brings with it a gamut of emotions. Often he feels angry, which leads to abusive and irrational behavior.

I am 51 now. Last year I adopted an abused dog from a local shelter. We share a similar history. He has brought so much into my life. I never even knew to dream my heart could be filled up like this, but he has given me love and joy. He introduced me to kindness and loyalty like no person has in my life. I now get from my wonderful dog what has always been missing.

We currently live in North Idaho near Bonners Ferry. I am not homeless but I sure remember

what it feels like to be homeless, hungry, hopeless, mentally ill and abused. I feel respect and understanding for all the homeless who have elected not to give up their pets.

If I had had a dog when I was so young and on the streets, I believe that bond would have given me the love and hope I so desperately needed.

I do not have a business and we live on a very low income, below poverty level. I realize I cannot actually start a food distribution site at my home, we live too far out but, I want to know how I can get something going in Bonners Ferry to help the homeless folks here feed their animals.

There are a lot of homeless that pass through town heading anywhere but where they are. Summer especially brings them. There are also many poor folks who have lost their jobs because of the economy and the closure of local lumber mills. So many animals show up as strays because people have lost their homes and end up leaving the animals behind. Others are homeless and trying to live in abandoned buildings, vehicles and tents with their animals.

I don't know of any place here where a homeless person can pick up pet food. Please direct me to someone who is already doing this in my area so I can help. Or maybe you suggest how I can get something started. I don't have much money, we live on $600 a month, but I have time and could donate a bag or two of dog food each month. Please help me to help.

Pets of the Homeless has sent Ellie all the materials that she needs to help recruite new collection sites and a local organzation that will agree to distribute the pet food. Thank you Ellie!

Lily's Love Foundation Project

"Gabe's Gang Pet Soup Kitchen"

John McTaggart, Founder/Executive Director of Lily's Love Foundation in the Detroit, Michigan area wrote Pets of the Homeless. Their program, Gabe's Gang Pet Soup Kitchen, was launched in January 2010.

John wrote, "There was an incredible response from families in need. In less than a year, over 150,000 meals were provided to pets of families in temporary economic crisis."

Hoping to expand their services to include the homeless with pets and to provide veterinary care for their pets, John McTaggart was disappointed when he found much resistance from local homeless shelters.

"Many it seemed," he said, "did not want to be bothered or simply said no. Even with these roadblocks, lack of cooperation and funding, I was determined. Pets of the Homeless provided valuable advice and guidance."

Genevieve Frederick, Executive Director and Founder of Pets of the Homeless, offered tried and true suggestions, "Try working with local food banks/pantries or soup kitchens. Ask them to work with you and set up a time and day of the week your volunteers can distribute pet food."

"You might ask the social workers at the homeless shelters if they would be willing to visit and provide information and resources on the day of the clinic. The health departments are usually the ones that bring everyone together to help the homeless and poor, they would be another excellent contact."

With sheer determination, diligent work and effort, Gabe's Gang Pet Soup Kitchen a project of Lily's Love Foundation, partnered officially with the largest rescue mission in the area. It began December 2010 to feed pets of the homeless every day.

"The rescue mission also agreed to help promote the proposed vaccination clinic." John McTaggert wrote, "We are so grateful to Pets of the Homeless for inspiring us to move in this direction. We now have the cooperation of two communities in our area."

Pets of the Homeless awarded another grant in the amount of $1,500 to help Lily's Love Foundation with the cost to spay/neuter pets of the homeless in their county.

For Information how to help in your community, please contact

Pets of the Homeless.

We will provide all the information

you might need and more.

For starters: