Animal Welfare United States Project #16863

Emergency Veterinary Care for Pets of the Homeless

by Feeding Pets of the Homeless

Emergency Veterinary Care for Pets of the Homeless

Project Report | Jun 8, 2026
Highlighting Those Who Deserve It

By Genevieve Frederick | Founder/President

Lucky

Hi, my name is Lucky

I’m a 3-year-old wire-haired terrier living with my dad in a tent on the streets of Bakersfield, Calif.

One day while we were out on a walk, another dog attacked me. My right leg became swollen, and I could not put any weight on it.

My dad was terrified seeing me in pain, but without money for a vet visit, he did not know how he could help me. While an outreach nurse was helping people nearby, my dad asked if she could look at my injuries. She handed him a Feeding Pets of the Homeless business card and encouraged him to apply for help.

After speaking with a case manager, I was approved for veterinary care!

At the urgent care clinic, the veterinarian took X-rays and thankfully confirmed nothing was broken. My leg was bandaged, and I was given pain medication and instructions to rest while I healed.

Now I’m recovering beside my dad, getting stronger every day and looking forward to running and playing again.

Feeding Pets of the Homeless contributed $764 toward my care.

Like the nurse in this story, if you would like to be mailed cards, please reach out to us via our website.

Your Impact since 2008

33,916 pets medically treated
2,794,092 pounds of donated pet food and supplies distributed
$7,469,679 spent on veterinary care, pet food and crates to shelters
2,047 Veterinary hospitals in our network
We are in all 50 States including DC and in 16,220 cities including 2 in Canada

Links:

Feeding Pets of the Homeless

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Apr 10, 2026
Leeloo's Story: A Lifesaving Surgery and Unbreakab

By Genevieve Frederick | Founder/President

This client found us on an internet search. Homelessness verification was provided by the Center for Community Resources in Cranberry, Pennsylvania. While details were limited, it is believed the client received a motel voucher for temporary shelter. She identified herself as disabled and without transportation.

This is Leeloo's story:

Hello, my name is Leeloo, and I am a 6-year-old calico cat. Right now, my mom and I are living in a motel as we experience homelessness. Life has been very hard since my mom lost her job and we lost our apartment. Through it all, I’ve never left her side, I’m her companion, her comfort, and her best friend.

Recently, my mom noticed something was very wrong. I couldn’t use the bathroom, and I had stopped eating. She was able to get me a free exam at a veterinary clinic, where they discovered I had bladder stones. My mom was terrified, not just for me, but because she didn’t know how she could afford the surgery I needed to survive.

Determined to help me, she searched online and found Feeding Pets of the Homeless. After submitting a quick application, we were approved for assistance and referred to a veterinary hospital.

At the hospital, the doctor sedated me, gave me pain medication, and performed a cystotomy (bladder surgery), along with updating my vaccinations. The surgery was a success, every stone was removed.

Now I’m back with my mom, recovering safely by her side.

Because of You

Feeding Pets of the Homeless contributed $1,500 toward Leeloo’s lifesaving care, ensuring that this devoted companion could stay with the person who needs her most.

A Message from Leeloo’s Mom

“Thank you and your whole organization for saving my precious LeeLoo. She is more than just a pet—she is my family. Helping her means more than you can ever know.”

You Make This Possible

Right now, there are more pets like Leeloo, waiting, suffering, and depending on us.

Your gift today can provide emergency veterinary care, relief from pain, and hope for someone who has nowhere else to turn.

Please consider making a donation today.

Together, we can keep best friends together, no matter the circumstances.

Links:

Feeding Pets of the Homeless

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Jan 28, 2026
Helping More Pets Like Sunshine, Faster and Fairer

By Genevieve Frederick | Founder & President - Feeding Pets of the Homeless

Sunshine

Every donation you make helps us say yes when pets like Sunshine need urgent medical care. Today, we want to share an important update that strengthens how we do that.

We have launched a new online Emergency Veterinary Care application, and it exists for one reason: to help more pets receive lifesaving care as quickly and fairly as possible.

Sunshine’s story shows why this matters.

When Sunshine became seriously ill, her mom was terrified. Sunshine was vomiting, constipated, and unable to eat. They were already experiencing homelessness after her mom lost her job and housing. Emergency veterinary care felt out of reach.

After being referred to Feeding Pets of the Homeless, Sunshine was approved for care and received fluids, x-rays, and medication to treat an intestinal blockage. Thanks to donor support, we were able to contribute $1,093 toward her treatment.

Today, Sunshine is recovering and back to being the adventurous, affectionate cat her mom describes with so much love.

A message from Sunshine’s mom:
“Thank you for helping Sunshine. She is doing better. She has passed the blockage in her stomach and is now happily going potty.

Sunshine is a perfect cat who does a great job giving me support in our tough times in life. Our pets are our children, and I appreciate the help you gave her because she truly deserves it, just as all pets do.

This program is truly life-saving. I will be making monthly donations to pay back what your program has blessed us with.”

Stories like Sunshine’s are why we updated our process.

Why an online application matters
As more people reach out for help, we need a system that ensures every request is reviewed clearly, consistently, and in the order it is received. The new online application allows us to:
• Create a clear starting point for every request
• Reduce delays
• Review cases more efficiently and equitably
• Focus staff time on coordinating care instead of tracking paperwork

This means your donations can be put to work faster, helping pets in crisis without unnecessary delays.

Sunshine is one of thousands of pets whose lives are made better because of supporters like you. With this improved process, we can help even more pets stay healthy and with the people who love them.

Thank you for making lifesaving care possible. Your generosity does not just fund veterinary bills. It protects the bond between people and their pets during the hardest moments of their lives.

With gratitude,
Genevieve Frederick

Links:

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