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Greetings!
The 2010 Annual Homeless Assessment reported an increase of people experiencing homelessness from 643,067 in 2009 to 649, 917 in January 2010. The unsheltered count increased by 2.8 percent.
A total of 79,446 family households which contained 241,951 persons in families, were homeless on the night of the 2010 count. Nearly 80 percent of homeless families were sheltered on the night of the count and 21 percent were unsheltered. In America, 60% of households have pets. Among the homeless, 10-25% have pets.
The highest percentage of the homeless population is located in California at 20.7%, New York at 10.2% and Florida at 8.9%, which accounts for 40% of the total homeless population.
We feel these figures are under reported since the report doesn't take into account the many homeless who prefer not to be counted. There are many reasons why. Many are afraid the authorities will take them to jail because of outstanding warrants or because they are high on drugs. Many are ashamed. Many hide from the authorities becasue they are afaird they will take their pets.
Pets of the Homeless doesn't judge these folks, we want to help them keep their pets by providing pet food and veterinary care. Everyday our dedicated volunteers and donors make this possible. |
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"Wine Tasting" for Dog Food/Fundraiser
Louis Mulone, owner of Addy's Fine Wine & Spirits in East Amherst, graciously agreed to host a FREE "Wine Tasting" for a Dog Food/Fundraiser and Wine Tasting.
Maggie, the poster dog for the fundraiser, lent her face to encourage people to donate bagged dog food, checks or cash to help feed dogs less fortunate.
The event was held June 26 "In the Driveway" on Wagon Wheel Drive in Buffalo. Over 600 pounds of pet food was collected along with some cash donations. A door prize drawing was also held.
Emily Brady from Fisher's Friends Dog Daycare, is the local affiliate and collection point in WNY for Pets of the Homeless. She was on hand to talk and answer questions.
Emily delivered the donated pet food to the primary distribution point "Friends of Night People" in Buffalo, NY. Dog food is provided free of charge to individuals who own a dog, are working poor, homeless, disabled, elderly, or in need of assistance. Friends of Night People feed them; Pets of the Homeless feeds their dogs!
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Extensive Surgery
for Sparkle
 | | Sparkle after surgery |
I'm homeless and have a dog named Sparkle. I want to shout out a thank you to the many wonderful, generous folks who heard about Sparkle.
She was shot in the jaw when she was a young dog and lost her eye. She recovered from that but the bullet was left in her jaw and there was a lot of damage.
Sparkle could not pant when it was hot because she could barely open her mouth. She could hardly chew kibble or lap water. She needed help but I didn't have money for it.
Donna Gates, owner of Donna's Pet Grooming, found us. She is a volunteer for Pets of the Homeless and contacted them for help and they did.
U. C. Davis Small Animal Hospital did the surgery to fix her jaw. The doctors removed the right, lower, back jaw and some bone from the upper jaw, too. The surgery was extensive and lasted for 7 long hours.
Sparkle is getting well and had no infection. She never complained so it was hard to tell how much pain she was in. She seems happy again. She was a big hit with everyone at the hospital. Now she can pant, yawn and open her mouth.
Again I want to thank Donna, Pets of the Homeless, U. C. Davis Animal Hospital and all the people who provided support, time, funding and prayers to save Sparkle.
If she could meet each one of you, she would no doubt give you all a licking-kiss because she can do that again. When I picked her up, she was able to lick my face twice. Her excitement matched my joy and I could not stop my tears.
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Feeding Pets of the Homeless
Leads National Pet Food Drive
"Give a Dog a Bone"
August 7-13 is the second National Feeding Pets of the Homeless Week. The national organization, Pets of the Homeless, asks the public to locate a collection site in their community.
To find a collection site in your community, visit http://www.petsofhomeless.org/. Donations of pet food should be taken to one of the identified, local collection sites.
Homelessness is on the rise and between 10-25% of homeless have pets in need of food. There are over 290 collection sites across America. Donations of pet food and supplies are received at member collection sites and distributed to food banks, soup kitchens and homeless shelters, which then give the pet food and supplies to their clients.
Genevieve Frederick, Executive director of Pets of the Homeless said, "Since 2008, collection site members have taken over 72.5 tons of pet food and supplies to homeless shelters, food banks and soup kitchens across the country. It is a combined effort to continue year-round collections of pet food. We applaud the caring, member volunteers who have reported their contributions. The need is great for communities to continue to donate to this on-going effort."
As an outreach to the homeless who own pets, Pets of the Homeless, also uses cash donations to provide veterinary care to pets of the homeless at free clinics across the country. Grants are given to veterinarians who go where the homeless congregate.
"Most shelters do not allow animals, so rather than give up their beloved pets, many homeless stay on the streets." Ms Frederick explained, "We provide pet sleeping crates, free of charge, to homeless shelters that allow refuge to the homeless with pets."
Feeding Pets of the Homeless provides support to pet business owners who wish to give back to their community by becoming a member collection site. Helpful start-up information is available on the website.
Pets of the Homeless, visit www.petsofthehomeless.org |
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For Information how to help in your community, please contact
Pets of the Homeless.
We will provide all the information you might need. For starters:
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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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Find Out More...
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Free Events & Clinics | |
$7.79 is the daily cost to feed and care for this dog. | |
You Can Help
Over 76.23 tons of
Pet Food Collected
& Distributed Since 2008
(under estimate since not all collection sites report)
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AnimalSave's
Mobile Spay & Neuter Clinic
520 E. Main Street
Grass Valley, CA
530- 477-1706
www.animalsave.org
Most clinics on-site.
But, call for schedule of spay & neuter outreach in neighboring communities.
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Wednesdays
Free Veterinary Clinic
10am - 11:45am
Union Gospel Mission for Men
1224 E. Trent
Spokane, WA
Dr. Tucker provides basic veterinary
care to pets of homeless or people
in transition to the first 15 animals.
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Every Other Wednesday
Free Clinic
12:15pm -1pm
Interfaith Homeless Shelter
NW 2nd Street
Ocala, FL 34476
352-629-5771
Veterinary care given by
Dr. Keith Stoothoff & Staff from
South Ocala Animal Clinic
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FREE CLINIC
2nd Saturday
Every Other Month
Call for date & times
360-695-7658
Share House Homeless Shelter
1115 W. 13st
Vancouver, WA
Immunizations, deworming, flea treatments, health exams by Dr. & Mrs. David Slocum of the Hazel Dell Animal Hospital who alternate months with
Dr. Cleveland.
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CLINIC
3rd Friday Every Month
Merced County Rescue Mission
1921 Canal St.
Merced, CA
Dr. Bissmeyer from
All Creatures Veterinary Hospital
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Click here to be listed
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