Helping the homeless
November 20th, 2008 by admin
This week the Ocala Star-Banner wrote about a unique program that helps homeless individuals and families by helping their pets. Veterinarian Kevin Stoothoff, who owns South Ocala Animal Clinic, is working with two local organizations- Brothers Keeper and Interfaith Emergency Services- that operate a soup kitchen and food pantry. His efforts will be partly supported by a grant from the charity Feeding Pets of the Homeless.
Beginning this month Stoothoff will visit the soup kitchen twice a month where, as people enjoy a hot meal, he will provide basic veterinary care for their companion animals (rabies vaccines and testing for heart worm, ear infections, fleas and ticks). Stoothoff told the paper, “The dilemma with a lot of homeless people — a concern they have — they feel if they try to approach anybody for help with pets, their pets would be taken away from them.”
Steve Hoesterey, executive director of Brothers Keeper, explained that many people choose to live on the street instead of giving up their dog or cat, “We do know near-homeless families and homeless people with pets have to choose to be homeless because, with a pet, they can’t get a place to live.”
Contact the South Ocala Animal Clinic if you’d like to help expand the program.