Two Million Pounds Later, One Nonprofit Won't Let a Single Pet Go Hungry

This feel-good nonprofit has a laser-focused mission: no pet of a person experiencing homelessness should ever go hungry.

Two million pounds of pet food. That staggering haul of kibble is what Feeding the Pets of the Homeless has handed out to hungry dogs and cats since 2008. The international US-and-Canada nonprofit is dead-set on seeing that no pet starves. Their promise: pet food and emergency vet care for animals who belong to people experiencing homelessness — and they're crushing it.

'No pet, regardless of who their guardian is, should go hungry,' says Genevieve Frederick, founder and president. Her passion has grown into an international movement of people helping pets whose humans are unhoused. Alongside more than 930 tons of food delivered, roughly 30,000 pets have gotten medical treatment through 1,600+ partner hospitals, totaling over $3.8 million in vet care and support. They even ship sleeping crates to shelters so pets can stay by their humans' sides.

'Pets mean a lot — even more to people experiencing homelessness,' Frederick says. 'When they can't afford vet care or even a bag of kibble, my heart breaks. Hearing the pain in callers' voices as they talk about an injured or sick pet is gutting.' Frederick sees more women and seniors facing homelessness. 'As an older woman myself, it fuels me to raise my voice and fight for their pets.'

With homelessness climbing, the nonprofit's focus is spreading the word so communities pitch in. Donate, volunteer, or find a food drop-off spot at petsofthehomeless.org. Businesses can become donation sites and team up with a local food bank to distribute the pet food.

This story first appeared in the award-winning Modern Dog magazine. Subscribe today!