Pets of the Homeless is moving into new location

Carson City’s Pets of the Homeless is expanding into a new office.

The expansion will allow the national nonprofit organization to accommodate office staff and volunteers.

Starting Aug. 1, the new location will be 400 W. King, Suite 200.

Pets of the Homeless focuses on feeding and providing emergency veterinary care to pets of homeless people. Homelessness continues to be a national issue.

In 2006, Genevieve Frederick founded the volunteer-based organization that offers animals the food their owners can’t provide. The organization garnered nonprofit status in 2008.

“Our emergency case load has doubled this year,” said Frederick.

“The growth of our organization will allow us to service more homeless people and their pets, and to help feed and provide basic veterinary care in the United States and Canada.”

Since 2008, more than 5,400 people gave pet food, cash or volunteered their time to help Pets of the Homeless realize its mission.

There are currently three dedicated staff members that aim to provide the highest customer service and maximize all resources to develop and sustain the organization’s ability to network with volunteers, donation sites, pet food provider organizations and veterinary hospitals. One more staff member will be added.

The majority of distributed pet food is collected by Pets of the Homeless donation sites and volunteers and delivered to food banks, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and sometimes, to the streets where the homeless assemble.

Donation sites have provided more than 492 tons of pet food, In 2016, more than 415 pets received treatment under Emergency Veterinary Care.

Despite improvements in the economy, homelessness continues to be a reality for many people.

The need for pet food and veterinary care will continue to be a pressing concern for those who find themselves homeless and the pets that rely on them. For more information or to donate, visit petsofthehomeless.org.