CATHOLIC CHARITIES NEWS RELEASE – Pets of the Homeless and Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada are teaming up to offer a free wellness clinic for the hundreds of cats and dogs that live with their homeless owners on the streets in Northern Nevada. Dr. Michael Ford of Galena Veterinary Hospital is donating his services in order to provide these animals with free well-checks, vaccinations, rabies updates/certificates, and free giveaways such as leashes, collars, toys, pet food and blankets.
The free clinic will be held in the St. Vincent’s Food Pantry parking lot at 500 East Fourth Street in downtown Reno on Saturday, June 8, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The local non-profit groups decided to hold a free wellness clinic after determining there is a great need among homeless owners of pets in Northern Nevada. In January at Catholic Charities’ annual Project Homeless Connect event, Pets of the Homeless gave away 400 bags of free pet food and vaccinated many dozens of cats and dogs.
“Through that event, we discovered that often times, members of the homeless community are taking better care of their pets than themselves. These animals are family members, and we want to do whatever we can to help them while their owners are in transition,” said Genevieve Frederick, Founder of Pets of the Homeless.
The Wellness Clinic will be first-come, first-served to homeless residents who own cats or dogs. Pets of the Homeless and Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada plan to hold these types of clinics at least twice each year.
For more information about the clinic, please contact: Pets of the Homeless at 775-841-7463.
Established in 1941, Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada (CCNN) is a Nevada-based, 501(c) (3) tax-exempt, non-profit corporation operating nine human service programs including: St. Vincent’s Dining Room, St. Vincent’s Food Pantry, St. Vincent’s Emergency Assistance Program, St. Vincent’s Residence, St. Vincent’s Thrift Shop, Holy Child Early Learning Center, Immigration Assistance Program, Adoption Program, and the Kids to Seniors Korner Program. CCNN is committed to providing help and creating hope in our community. From infants to seniors, CCNN assists approximately 40,000 people per month in the northern Nevada community.
