Homeless Pets: 3 Nonprofits That Help People Living On The Streets Feed Their Animals

When stomachs start rumbling, homeless people with pets often feed their best friends first.

To help the estimated five to 10 percent of homeless people with pets care for their animals, Pets of the Homeless recently teamed up with the South Lake Animal League of Groveland, Fla. The organizations distribute dog and cat food to local food pantries for the poor and homeless, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

"It means they get to eat another meal, and their best buddy gets to have a healthy meal," Paula Kane, a volunteer in Bithlo, Fla., told the East Orlando Sun. "Because homeless people will go hungry before their dogs."

Some are skeptical as to why a person living on the streets should take on the responsibility of a pet. But Kane, who helps feed the homeless, told the news outlet that many homeless people rely on their pooches for protection and sometimes even more importantly, companionship.

"Just 'cause you're homeless don't mean you cannot have a pup," Russell, a homeless man living in Florida, told the Orlando Sentinel. "Look at this puppy. He ain't missed a meal. And he'll never miss one."

Pets of the Homeless, which also awards grants to veterinarians who vaccinate, spay or neuter pets, isn't the only nonprofit on a mission to nourish animals without a home.

The Doglando Foundation recently launched its Full Tummy Project, an initiative that bags pet food for the homeless and poverty stricken in East Orlando, Fla., according to the East Orlando Sun.

Some activists are going so far as to develop entire food banks devoted to animals.

When food banks rejected Tom Wargo's idea to address pet hunger, the Georgia resident went on to start his own nonprofit, Daffy's Pet Soup Kitchen, according to Lilburn-Mountain Park Patch.

His organization has since become one of the largest pet food banks in the country, providing 600,000 pounds of food last year for pets of the poor.

"The people that I was helping ... would bring the people food home and feed their animals with it," he told the news source. "They're not going to let their animals starve, they're not going to kill them at the pound, so they're going to feed them, just like if you have kids."

To get involved with Pets of the Homeless, click here.

To learn more about Daffy's Pet Soup Kitchen, click here.

Comments

[elisabethmp2]

06:54 PM on 06/18/2012

I just donated.....I cant bear to see a pet or any animal go hungry. So many fat/obese poeple and so many starving animals such a shame. I also give every month to the ASPCA and to the Northeast Animal Shelter Help Me Heal program so they can get the medical help they deserve!!

[Puddinpops]

05:59 PM on 04/08/2012

My dog is long dead now, but when he was in his prime he weighed apox 125lbs and I spent more on his food a month then I did on my own. I know if had ever lost everything, he would have walked through the gates of hell with me and never left my side. I would have given up my home, my car, and every last worldly possession before I ever game him up. Some might call that selfish or animal abuse, but when you are friendless I can see how you would cling to your dog. I know if I had ever had the misfortune of sleeping on the street he would have watched over me and kept me from harm. Some people I have heard saying that if you can't afford the dog or pet you shouldn't ask for handouts, but I don't think I would have every let him go, even if we were wandering the streets eating out of cans together. I'm not sure he would have had it any other way either.

[sentimentiques]

08:38 PM on 06/18/2012

You're a fine human being, and I am happy to have read your wonderful post. F&F

[Bugaboojda]

03:48 PM on 04/06/2012

Yes Yes Yes! A pet is a member of the family too. I could not imagine having to give up my dog because I became homeless. My dog is like my child. I would sacrifice my own food to give my child as I would for my dog. I am so glad that there are organizations out there that took the time to care for families who are in need that have pets!

[AgnesMcTavish]

04:57 AM on 04/06/2012

Yes, That pet might be the only love they get.

[iconico62]

04:51 AM on 04/06/2012

Why can't the creators of pink slime team up with pet food producers and make donated food for these pets? At least if people start not buying them.

[Parade Keegan]

06:14 PM on 04/05/2012

It's already done in my town. Homeless shelters etc. they have pet food.

[DBarker1]

04:23 PM on 04/05/2012

http://www.slal.org/NourishNNeuter.htm
Please feel free to visit our website for information about this and our Nourish N Neuter program
South Lake Animal League

[Artemesian]

03:11 PM on 04/05/2012

Yes. Hard times hurt people and their pets.

[campcranston]

02:56 PM on 04/05/2012

Pets are extremely important emotional partners, especially for the destitute or homeless mentally ill. Whenever possible, we need to be able to provide food and shelter for the animals, as well as their people.

[wizardneedsbeer]

10:43 PM on 04/05/2012

Your my pet now

[campcranston]

01:41 PM on 04/06/2012

Reported.

[susanbsbi]

02:11 PM on 04/05/2012

I keep small bags of the cheap dog & cat food in my trunk. When I see a homeless with a pet I give the food to the homeless and a $5.00 gift card to either Wendy's or McDonald's.

[Ivetka Tonhauserova]

05:20 PM on 04/05/2012

You're wonderful person, Susan, I hope you know it. Hats off...

[susanbsbi]

09:15 AM on 04/06/2012

Thanks

[WinoGirl]

02:03 PM on 04/05/2012

This is actually something I've been wanting to start in my own town, but have no idea how to even get it started. Wonderful to see that it's actually gaining traction in other places.

[shlomomo]

01:52 PM on 04/05/2012

Want to know what a human should feel like? Help an animal in distress and what you get back is absolutely priceless.

[geddy lee is a god]

01:37 PM on 04/05/2012

"Some are skeptical as to why a person living on the streets should take on the responsibility of a pet."

Unbelievable. Millions of pounds of food are wasted in this country, no one bats an eye; a homeless man gives Fido a sandwich, here comes the pearl clutching.

Dogs are really starting to grow on me. It's not like I disliked them growing up, I just wasn't interested in owning one. But my POV has changed since becoming an adult. I notice now how older/retired people look to them as sources of comfort for when a spouse passes, or the children move away. I also like to watch little children play with them in the park. I see how dogs have such a prominent place in the hearts of their owners.

Homeless people are faced with enough challenges; they have to endure things that are so far removed from the lives of those of us who have stability. Their dogs provide some form of normalcy in their chaotic world, and I can totally understand why they want to take care of them.

I just checked the petsofthehomeless.com website for info on donating, and the nearest collection site for me is in Tacoma -- The Senior Pet Food Pantry. They are only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but I've bookmarked the link for reference.

Thank you huffpo for such a great article. Got me feeling all misty-eyed and warm-hearted, lol.

[DrugSniffingCat]

12:26 PM on 04/05/2012

What a wonderful idea!

[ss1964]

12:25 PM on 04/05/2012

I've spent more time thinking about this topic than I probably should. I'm involved with pet therapy and I, too, have been/am afraid of needing the help of a homeless shelter. I now have a plan that if it comes to it, I will sleep in the car with my dog and seek any type of work to pay for our food and gas and to save him first should I become incapacitated. I would/will put $$ aside for him to be cared for instead of taking him to a shelter. That is, my dog comes with a trust fund. He also has been set up for good things by having worked diligently on teaching him great manners and tricks. As far as allowing pets into a shelter...yes, please do. My dog would be all the motivation in the world for me to get back onto my feet. I would also be less afraid. When you have nothing, your pet can mean everything...at least for me.