Feeding Pets Of The Homeless

Feeding Pets of the Homeless® believes in the healing power of companion pets and of the human/animal bond, which is very important in the lives of people experiencing homelessness. They find solace, protection and companionship through their pets. They care for their pets on limited resources so they themselves have less. Our task, nationwide, is to feed and provide basic emergency veterinary care to their pets and thus relieve the anguish and anxiety of the homeless who cannot provide for their pets.

Several years ago, our founder, Genevieve, and her husband visited New York City. They saw a homeless man with his beautiful healthy, mixed breed dog at his side. He wasn’t panhandling. She had always ignored the homeless but this time, something was different. She couldn’t get that dog out of her mind.

She tried to imagine what brought the man to be homeless. Was it drugs, alcoholism? That’s the conclusion most people make about the homeless. This man didn’t look like an addict, and she wondered why and how he got to where he was in life. And, what about his dog? It was obvious the dog was devoted to the man. He was not on a leash and could have run away at any time. She was confused about why anyone homeless, who could barely feed or take care of themselves, would even consider having a pet.

When she returned home, she researched the homeless with pets and came across the “National Coalition for the Homeless.” At the time, their estimates indicated that 3.5 million people in America were homeless and that between 5%-10% of homeless have dogs and/or cats. In some areas of the country, the rate is as high as 33%. Most people who experience homelessness are homeless for a short period and usually need help to find housing or a rent subsidy. Unfortunately for those with pets, it becomes more difficult, and many homeless are forced to choose between their pet and a roof over their head. Surprisingly, most choose to stay on the streets with their pets. Why? The answer became evident to Genevieve. Their pets are nonjudgmental; provide comfort and an emotional bond of loyalty. In some cases, they provide the homeless with protection and keep them warm.

Genevieve’s family has almost always had dogs and cats, which made her wonder, what would she do if faced with homelessness? Could she give up her pets? It felt equal to giving up her children. While they would possibly be better off emotionally, it would be a devastating decision to make because of the comfort and unconditional love they give.

It was one of those “ah-ha” moments when she realized that she could do something for those pets. And so began Feeding Pets of the Homeless®.

Donors have told us over the years that they feel such compassion for the pets of the homeless but were afraid to approach due to safety concerns and welcomed the opportunity our organization give for a safe and easy way to help.

That one day in New York changed Genevieve’s life. It created a passion she did not know she held that utilized her past education, life experiences, and careers to start this unique nonprofit. Each day, she looks forward to knowing that Feeding Pets of the Homeless® is providing pet food and veterinary care to the hundreds of thousands of pets that wander the streets with their owners. And she looks forward to each day knowing that we can assist the calls from the homeless or about to be homeless.

The homeless with pets are often desperate to find a shelter to go to that will allow their pets. They seek help to find an agency that will give them pet food. They are frantic to find emergency veterinary care for injuries or illnesses.

Next time you see a homeless person with a pet, think of Genevieve’s story. Please share it with your friends and consider donating to our organization. Such donations help pay for emergency care, wellness clinics, and pet crates for homeless shelters. Check to see if there is a pet food and supplies donation site in your community. If there isn’t, consider helping us to get one started.

By year-end 2023, Feeding Pets of the Homeless' cases managers had received and returned 25,334 calls for help, compared to 22,913 in 2022 – an increase of 11%. Emergency cases were up 19% and the number of people experiencing homelessness we helped has increased 21% from 1,254 in 2022 to 1,518 in 2023. Our billings processed by our accounting department rose 12% from 2022. A tribute to our small staff and the difficult and challenging work they are tasked with daily.
Feeding Pets of the Homeless has helped 410 pets of homeless in Orange County that needed veterinary care at a cost of over $170,000 in the last 5 years. This service is free to people experiencing homelessness. We also offer pet food.

The goal of Feeding Pets of the Homeless® is to provide relief to homeless people and their pets in the form of food, resources, emergency care and support, benefiting both the animals and the humans. Our most frequent inquiries are arranging help for an injured or ill pet, finding providers distributing pet food and supplies, coordinating necessary vaccinations, finding partners for a spay or neuter surgery or locating a homeless shelter that allows pets.

Orange County

Our emergency veterinary care program is important in the lives of many homeless because they otherwise would not be able to afford it. Their pet is their family; their best friend who provides unconditional love. I have been told many times by our clients, that their pet is their everything and they cannot give them up. Their pet helps them in so many ways and is what keeps them going every day. Our pet food providers give donations of pet food and supplies that our donation sites have collected from their customers, so when a person goes to get a meal they can also get a meal for their pet.
Our organization is unique in many ways, one being we speak to the client directly. We hear their story. We don’t have them fill out an application online. Our case managers answer the phone and lend an ear when they are emotional because they are unable to pay for vet care. As soon as we get homeless verification (which most clients will get right away in an emergency) we are able to get the pet a visit the same or next day. We pay the veterinarian directly for pre-approved services. Our clients and veterinarians thank us for being such a helpful, worthwhile organization.
We are saving many pets by assisting financially with injuries, and illnesses, therefore, we are saving human lives too!

Our data shows that 62% of our clients are women experiencing homelessness. Of those 38% are survivors of domestic violence. For women, the streets are dangerous and having a dog helps protect them again violence, rape, and thief.
Helping one person might not change the world but it could change the world for one person and their pet.