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 many homeless. 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.
In the richest country in the world, more than 500,000 Americans are homeless each night, with millions more experiencing homelessness through the course of each year. There are hundreds of reasons a person or family ends up homeless besides mental illness and addictions. There are economic reasons, circumstantial reasons and personal reasons.
Economic: Income, housing, financial, food.
Lack of resources/safety net, inadequate and irregular work hours, lack of benefits, spouse overseas, incarcerated, subsidized housing waitlists, substandard housing, overcrowding lease violations, foreclosure, rent burden, high application fees, lack of affordable housing, evictions and eviction record debt collectors’ practices, lack bank access, high fees, utility security deposits, care troubles, repo, fraud/theft, debt, illegal evictions, inadequate wages, storage unit woes. Food costs and access, nutrition.
Circumstances:
Natural disaster, red-tape bureaucracy, gentrification, high mobility, inadequate schools, lack of transportation, lack of internet/computer, lack of social network.
Personal: Family issues, health issues, education/development, legal issues, trauma, violence and abuse. The lack and cost of childcare, generational poverty, divorce from a caretaker, race discrimination, hoarding, LGBTQA, turning 18, pets, unplanned pregnancy, caretaker, partner or spouse dies or leaves, no access to care/meds, chronic illness, disability, no insurance, health crisis, age out of foster care, negative foster care experience, absenteeism, lack support network, human trafficking, tickets, fines, sex offender, prison record, immigration, domestic violence.
With this knowledge, it is my hope that you will have a better understanding of why those on the streets need compassion. And that their pets offer comfort, protection, loyalty, love and they do not judge.
With gratitude,
Genevieve Frederick
President and Founder
Feeding Pets of the Homeless®
