(Carson City, Nev.) – 3.5 million Americans are homeless. Between 5 and 10 percent of homeless people have dogs and/or cats. In some areas of the country, the rate is as high as 24 percent. During the holiday season, cold winter weather and loss of hope during a time of giving pose additional hardships for the homeless population. And for their pets living on the street, they will need the extra calories from food during the winter months to keep warm.

Homelessness continues to be a national issue. In 2006, Genevieve Frederick founded Pets of the Homeless, a volunteer-based organization that offers animals the food their owners cannot provide. The organization garnered nonprofit status in 2008.

Pets of the Homeless’ mission is simple – to feed and provide basic veterinary care to pets of homeless people in the United States and Canada.

Pets of the Homeless is busy promoting to veterinarians and pet-related businesses the importance of joining the organization as a donation site, and campaigning to food distributing organizations the importance of providing pet food to the less fortunate.

Since 2008, donations have surpassed 442 tons of pet food delivered to food banks via the network of donation sites across the country.

To reach its goal in 2016, Pets of the Homeless will need another 24,000 pounds of pet food donated and $43,000 raised nationally. They are actively seeking donations to assist homeless people and their pets.

“Eighty seven cents out of every dollar donated goes directly to our free programs,” said Frederick. “For homeless people with pets, many are forced to choose between their pet or a roof over their head. These pets are non judgmental, provide love, comfort and an emotional bond of loyalty. In some cases, they provide the homeless with protection and also keep them warm. During the holidays, giving human food to local food banks is great, but remember that Fido and Kitty need assistance too.”

About Pets of the Homeless:

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. The 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. For more information, please visit petsofthehomeless.org or follow them on Facebook.

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Popeye, the dog, is making the rounds at all the best restaurants in LA. Popeye was once a starving stray who only ate what he was able to find laying around. Now, the pooch eats some of the most amazing food you have ever seen with his new owner, Ivy Diep. Ivy said she found Popeye as a stray – he was very skinny, matted, and dirty.

At the time, Ivy wasn’t looking for another dog, but no one wanted to take Popeye in, so Ivy kept him. It wasn’t long before Popeye had made a space for himself in their house and in their hearts.

One of Ivy’s friends, Jen, suggested that Popeye have his own Instagram account because he is so cute.

Jen and Ivy would go on ‘Instagram dates’ and take pictures of the amazing food they ate.

The idea was to bring Popeye along on the date and take pictures of the food and Popeye!

Despite his past, Popeye is very good around food and doesn’t lunge for it.

Popeye doesn’t eat the foods that would make him sick, he does get to taste the foods that are safe

Ivy brings a bag of dog food and treats for Popeye to enjoy for times when the food isn’t fit for him to eat.

Popeye’s Instagram account (Popeye the foodie) has over 120,000 followers, and it features pictures of Popeye with and without a huge plate of food in front of him!

Scroll down to see all the delectable items that Popeye has been pictured with. Popeye is one lucky dog!

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On January 16th I saw a post going around on Facebook about a US Veteran in Surprise, Arizona that was losing his home and being evicted in a few days. He has 4 beautiful Malinois dogs and options were limited because he wants to keep them. I’m active in the dog rescue/homeless advocacy community and I wanted to do something, but it seemed there were a few options and that he had some help.

Several days went by and I decided to reach out to Jeremy directly and ask if he needed food for his dogs. He responded and said yes. I met him and the dogs in a parking lot on January 27th. Someone donated a van to him and he is a living in it with the dogs. He is humble about getting help, but he still needs it.

A nice woman is allowing him to park at her house at night but it is not feasible for him to have a room in the house as initially offered, as she has many dogs, as well. This is not an easy way to live on an ongoing basis, especially for the dogs. I gave him two large bags of dog food for Junior, Buddy, Olive & Dale. It would be nice to get him a motel room now and again so they can all stretch out and wash up and get them out of these tight quarters. 

On January 28th I assisted him in taking the dogs to the Stand Down event and the dogs got shots and a check-up. One of the dogs had some dental issues and another a possible ACL condition. It would be nice to get them ongoing care and follow up, as they are ages five through nine. He is returning to the Stand Down event today, to see what help is available for him, since we got the dogs taken care of yesterday. It can take several days or weeks to receive any help, if anything is even available for him.

Much of the assistance out there for vets is for the humans only. If someone is unwilling to give up their pets, assistance is greatly limited. He does not want to give up his pets, as they are the source of some happiness and purpose to him. I totally get that. Someone who bravely served our country should not be living like this. It is not known yet if there is any housing assistance available. It would be nice if someone knew of a rental home or townhouse with a yard or fenced patio that allowed a veteran with 4 dogs. They are well behaved and of course potty trained. Goal amount may later be changed depending on what he finds out about housing. 

Many people have asked about helping and asked if I would set up a GoFundMe for him and the dogs. Please know Jeremy did not ask me to do this. Will you help me help Jeremy, Dale, Junior, Buddy and Olive? What the funds can be used for:

*Further care, treatment, food and supplies for the 4 dogs (Including current ID tags, harnesses, microchipping, joint supplement for Dale)
*Bottled water for all of them
*Use of laundry mat to clean bedding and clothing
*Gas, insurance, update tags, maintenance for the van
*Storage unit so that the van isn’t so cramped with clothing, belongings and dog supplies. He lost/left many things at the house, but still has some personal items.
*Cell phone upkeep so he has a way to receive calls about possible assistance.
*PO Box, so he has an address to receive mail about assistance.
*Food, vitamins, toiletries, wipes, hand sanitizer, clothing, etc. for Jeremy
*A removable rug for the van that can be taken out and vacuumed at a car wash (living with the hair of 4 dogs!)
*Possible play time at indoor dog park for the dogs (outdoor dog parks have not worked well)
*Whatever other needs arise!

I am not a 501c3 charity. I am just a regular person trying to help another human being and his dogs.

https://youtu.be/79p-1YmfiFc

Thank you for your continued support and donations, everyone! I have been out of town for a few days for work and just got back last night at midnight. This morning was the first time funds were available to use from GFM. I will be meeting Jeremy today to switch the dog food to Earthborn. Poor Olive has not been feeling well a couple days, going to see if this will make a difference. I will also get another gas card. Jeremy has an appointment this afternoon to check into housing. Not sure how that will go with the 4 dogs. Hoping for the best, I will let you know! Some of you have asked what kind of work he will be looking for. Yes, he wants to work, but he will need a place to live before he can get a job. He ideally would like office work, and yes he does WANT to work. He is uplifted by our support and that we care. 

When I saw them today, Olive looked so much better that Jeremy had reported she was feeling yesterday. Today he said she is doing so much better. That is so great! He thinks she was having tummy trouble. Part of the problem is that that are mostly in the van and get out for potty breaks several times a day. We need a safe yard they can stretch out in and walk around a bit at least a few times a week. There have been a couple offers, but we want everyone’s dogs safe without getting hurt. Let me know if you have any ideas!

Does anyone have a yard, side yard, lot, etc… where a temporary chain link fence dog run could be put for Jeremy’s dogs? A nice lady is offering to buy a structure if a place can be found for it. Ideally this would be somewhere in NW valley.

Here is the pack this morning! They now have sturdy harnesses, name tags and are microchipped! Jeremy was given funds for gas and to get a PO box. 

It takes several days before funds are available, but we are hoping to be looking for a place very, very soon and pay several months upfront as well as utility deposits. Insurance for the van will also be paid this week.

Met up with Jeremy and the pack today! The dogs got new Kong leashes with the easy control loop, some Honest Kitchen fish skin treats , a grain free dental bone each and a cooling mat. Jeremy was given a gas card for Kwik Trip and a laptop. The laptop will help him dust off his resume, help me find them a place to live, research jobs or any other assistance opportunities, as well as just help with life in general. I reached out to 9 rental listings in Surprise yesterday and have not heard back from a single one. Please let me know if anyone is aware of a possible rental opportunity in Surprise or Peoria that would allow four very trained and behaved dogs.

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While the US military does provide for its servicemen and women after they finish serving, veterans sometimes fall through the cracks.  Combat medic Darla Stange is one of them.  She was assured that she and her emotional support dog, Gimli, would be provided with lodging upon their return to Washington, but that wasn’t the case.  Now they’re staying in various unsavory motels, and would love a place to call home.

This plea comes from SPC Stange:

I never thought I’d be here. Basically begging for money to get by. I am almost six years on active duty, and have honorably served my country all around the world. I am less than five months from getting out medically from multiple injuries – four surgeries and PTSD. I was prescribed an emotional support animal to help with the stress I was enduring – Gimli. He saved my life. I was in Germany when they decided to send me back to Washington in July of 2015. Through lack of communication in the Army channels, I was dumped at a new post with my partner in crime and no funding for a house. I have gutted nearly all my savings in renting rooms and hotels for my dog and I to stay, waiting for Army paperwork and funding. I am asking with the utmost humility to help Gimli and me get back on our feet. I am scared thinking how this situation has placed me as a soldier upon exiting the service.

I was really struggling after multiple injuries and surgeries were ending my military career sooner than I wanted. I was struggling with severe depression.  I was headed down a very dark and spiraling path with very little hope for my future. Just when I had all but given up, Gimli came into my life.

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Once the frightened dog, whom Lisa named Angelo, realized that they were there to rescue him, he began to relax and allowed them to pet and hold him making it easier for them to get out of the trench. After weeks of living in the streets, he was finally bathe and taught how to trust people again.

Angelo was soon brought to his foster family where he met and made friends with 3 other dogs. He is now healthy and happy, just waiting for a new family and his forever home. Do share this video and who knows, someone might just fall in love with this adorable dog or others like him who deserve a better life!

The post Homeless Dog Rescued From A Trench Next To A Biohazard Disposal Company Needs A New Home appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Sox Place is founded in 2002, and it’s a safe place for homeless young people who have either ran away, have abusive parents, or have issues with substance abuse. But now it has become more than just that. Sox Place now provides free veterinary services to the pets of these homeless young people. And that was certainly good news for one teenager named Louis Peters.

Louis Peters picked up a dog in Oregon and named him Dagger. During that time, Dagger was just a pup and he was covered in fleas. Louis took Dagger in, and since then, Dagger is the only family that he has. So when Sox Place provided free vet services, Louis is so glad that he doesn’t have to spend much to give Dagger a clean bill of health. Watch the video below for the full story!

https://youtu.be/i1PP7e7Sy0o

Isn’t this amazing news? A million thanks to the people at Sox Place for providing vet services to the pets of homeless young people. There are homeless people out there whose only friend and family is their dog, and it’s wonderful news that they can now give their beloved pets the necessary shots to keep them healthy.

The post Center For Homeless Youth Now Provides Free Vet Services For Their Pets appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Kiko was in the news in 2012, when he saved his human from a home invasion.  Someone posing as a UPS delivery person tried to break into the home Kiko was living in on Stanton Island, New York.  Kiko ended up shot in the head for his efforts, and against all odds, made a full recovery.

That would have been a very good happy ending for Kiko and his story.  However, Kiko’s human ended up on very hard times a couple of years ago, forcing him to surrender Kiko.

That’s when Mighty Mutts heard about Kiko and his story.  They though that he deserved better, being a hero and all.  In late 2014, Mighty Mutts took Kiko in and have been looking for a forever home for him since.

“The first few weeks of adoption drives, it was obvious that Kiko was very confused, and just seemed to be looking for his owner,” Jill Haynes of Mighty Mutts said.  “Initially we thought he was a little shut down, but after a bit of time we realized he was actually just completely deaf.”

Mighty Mutts isn’t sure if Kiko has always been deaf, or if it’s from taking the bullet to the head.  It really didn’t matter when it happened, but just realizing this fact has helped bonding with Kiko so much easier.

The post Dog Takes Bullet for Human, Ends up Homeless appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Hope for Paws received a call about a senior dog living on a freeway off-ramp. They were told that the dog had a badly injured leg. When they got there, the dog was sleeping; so they took this opportunity to capture him. Rudolph was so scared, that even with his injured leg, he tried to fight off and get away. And as he was trying to break free, he bit his own tongue. You can see in the video that Rudolph was struggling to get away, but after a few minutes, you will see what a sweet dog he really is. Watch the video below!

Rudolph has been through a lot. And after living a hard life in the streets, he deserves a chance to be taken cared of in a home where he is loved.

The post An Injured Homeless Senior Dog Gets A Chance At Happiness appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Peggy’s owners knew she’d be gentle and sweet with the new kittens, but they didn’t expect she’d become such an excellent surrogate mom. Big thanks to them for fostering, adopting and sharing this video!

The post Rescued Dog Mom Adopts Homeless Baby Animals appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

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A street dog whose nose got caught in a trap will hopefully be able to smell again thanks to a doctor who designed an implant that will be embedded into his snout. In even better news, the dog has also found a forever home.

Parys, who is from Bialystok, Poland, will undergo surgery tomorrow, according to the Daily Mail.

Dr. Marcin Elgal of the Individual Medical Implants Technopark designed the tube-shaped implant after he learned of the dog’s misfortune. It is believed that the implant will restore Parys’ sense of smell, and will help surgeons reconstruct the shape of his nose, which was completely torn off in a snare.

Dogs have an olfactory bulb that is three times larger than humans.  We have phenomenal vision, but dogs have us beat in scent detection.  We only have about 6 million scent receptors, but dogs have between 125 million and 250 million receptors, except bloodhounds, who have closer to 300 million.

The mucus on a dog’s nose (rhinarium) helps capture scent particles and determines air current direction.  Dogs sniff each other’s rears to gather the same information we do on each other’s Facebook pages – sex, age, diet, overall health, and emotional state, so the ability to smell is very important to a dog.

After his surgery, Parys will be recovering at home with his new mom, Magdalena Smosarska.

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The story of Gato went viral on social networks when local residents started campaigning to get the dog off the streets and hopefully find him a new loving owner.Every night, since the passing of the homeless man, the loyal dog goes back to the stadium’s entrance as if looking for his owner and hoping to find his human sleeping there. However, every night Gato’s heart is broken when the dog doesn’t find González Sánchez.

During the day, Gato roams the same places he visited with his former owner and scavenges for food. Even though some local residents have a tendency to abuse the dog and scare him off their property, Gato continues to be a friendly dog.

Alex Gonzales has been networking Gato on Facebook, trying to find a new owner for this orphan and homeless dog. If you are willing to help Gato, please contact Alex Gonzales here.

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Pete Buchmann is homeless in Delaware, and knows that the best thing he can do for his senior dog is keep him in a shelter.  It is heartbreaking to be away from Buster, so every day – rain, snow, or shine – Pete walks five miles each day to see him so he knows he hasn’t been abandoned.

Pete and Buster were inseparable until this past July when Buchmann’s dwindling resources were drained and he became homeless.

“When I couldn’t pay my rent any more, I moved across the street into the backyard of an empty house,” he told Delaware Online. “I pitched a two-man tent, and it was kind of fun for about a week, but it wasn’t good for Buster.”

He asked police officers where he could take the nine-year-old dog until he was able to care for him again, and was told to contact Faithful Friends Animal Society in Wilmington.  He was unable to call at first, because his cell phone kept dying and no one would let him charge it.  When he finally got through, he told staff whereabouts the pair could be found.

“We drove out and found them,” said Lou Henderson, manager of the shelter’s dog department. “We also took Pete a goodie bag with some food and things in it to help him. We brought Buster back with us and gave him his own room.”

Executive Director Jane Pierantozzi wasn’t thrilled to come into work to see that the shelter’s meet-and-greet area had been turned into a makeshift apartment for Buster, but felt for the dog and his owner.

“Since the financial crisis, so many people have had to give up their pets, and we have been able to place them, but Buster isn’t adoptable,” she said. “He’s old, he has arthritis, and he’s protective of and attached to Pete. Dogs like that can go down fast in a shelter. We knew if he went to a kill shelter he wouldn’t survive.”

Of the 3.5 million homeless people in America, anywhere between 5 and 25 percent of them have pets.  This may be unfair to the animals, particularly when it is scorching hot, freezing cold, rainy, and buggy, but most homeless people will sacrifice their own meals and blankets to keep their pets comfortable.  Pets are all some of these people have, and turning them over to a kill shelter isn’t an option.

Pete never thought he’d be where he is now, but it can happen to anybody nowadays.  If you lose your job and can’t find another one, money runs out fast, and banks and landlords aren’t usually very forgiving of unfortunate circumstances.  Pete had been installing fiber optics and doing construction, but when the economy declined, so did the work.

“I’m not your stereotypical homeless person,” he said. “I don’t drink, and I don’t do drugs. There are a lot of very smart people living at the mission who are just down on their luck.”

The Long Island native moved to Delaware after his sister and mother, whom he was caring for, died within weeks of one another.  He went where the work was, but that quickly dried up.  He sold his car to keep his apartment, but when the money ran out, he was out on the streets.  He never married and has no children, so he has no one to turn to except Buster, who he visits every day.

“I am just amazed at his attitude,” Pierantozzi said. “He walks two-and-a-half miles each way every day to see Buster, and then he spends two or three hours helping us walk the dogs. Most people in his situation would be depressed and angry, but he isn’t.”

She is so inspired by his fortitude that she is reaching out to everyone she knows, looking for a full-time job for him.  Pete has been working at the shelter, but because it is a non-profit and relies on donations, there is no pay to give him.

“Pete has been so resilient through all his trials,” Pierantozzi noted.  “It’s bad enough to lose your home, but to not know what’s going to happen to your pet is horrible. I just hope there are people out there that can help.”

For now, Pete is just grateful to be able to sleep at the Sunday Breakfast Mission and that Buster is well-cared for.  He hopes they will be reunited permanently soon.

He’s my buddy; he’s been with me through everything.  He seems content here, and he knows now that I’m coming back, that he hasn’t been deserted,” Pete explained.  “Faithful Friends helped me save my faithful friend. I’ll be grateful forever. I have nothing to complain about.”

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