The Honest Veterinarian

I want to share with you all a cause that is close to my heart: a non-profit out of Arizona called Pets of the Homeless!

Last November as I was working late one cold evening a young man came into the pet food store and began inquiring about feline nutrition. He asked if he could feed his senior cat meat from the grocery store deli. I went on to explain to him that just feeding store bought human grade meat would be lacking the vitamins and minerals she needed in her diet. He then asked if he could crunch up Centrum MultiVitamins in her food to supplement for that, but unfortunately I didn't have good news for him with that either. He was very concerned, I could tell. He left the store and I was left a bit bewildered. Not but 5 minutes later he came back in and asked another question, this time I noticed his purple hands without gloves and his tattered winter beanie. I then asked him if he needed any help and he opened up a bit to me about his situation. He must have been in his late 20's but life had aged him way beyond. He explained to me how he ran from an abusive home and went to live with his aunt and uncle, the couple had a cat that he said they abused. He fled that home as well and took the cat with him; at the present time he was living in a tent behind a store and working jobs when he could while tending to his cat and living off food stamps.

I was heart broken. My whole life I have occasionally seen people on the streets with cardboard signs and I am sure you all have too. Some look at them with pity, some look at them and open their pocket books and many others look at them with disdain. I have always been curious about each of their stories and what choices or circumstances brought them to that point in life. However, I never seem to be bold enough to ask (I am working on this though). This man I met and his cat threw me into a tidal wave of what can I do for people like him who have pets and literally will be turned away from (most) shelters due to liability. I began to search for organizations who help the homeless community, especially those that carry their pets with them. Now this is a controversial topic for many: should the nations homeless be allowed to keep their pets? I am a huge proponent in saying yes! If you have ever loved an animal you know how strong that bond with your pet can be and if you lost everything, your family, your possessions, maybe your health, and your security your pet may be the only being still by your side loving you for who you are. The Human Animal Bond saves lives, I truly believe this statement!

Pets of the Homeless was the first website that popped up on my search and they are doing amazing things in this country. I immediately contacted them to see what I could do for my community of Columbia, Missouri. Pets of the Homeless runs on volunteer power; it is up to the person who signs up to go out and find companies who would like to collect pet foods (any kind, opened bags, even expired food) and then to find companies who would like to distribute the donations to those in need in the community (ex: shelters, food banks, pet shelters).

Video property of petsofthehomeless.org

If you feel passionate to do something like this in your community I encourage you to check out their website! If you have any questions for me leave a comment!

Pawsitively yours,

Gabrielle P.