Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/veterinarians-visit-la-skid-row/

As pet owners, we want to do everything we can to ensure they are healthy and happy. Most of us have that opportunity, but for those who are living on the streets, it may be more challenging.

You might be surprised to learn how many people living on Skid Row in Los Angeles have their own pet. We all need companionship, and even people in tough situations often do their best to care for their pets, despite limited resources.

That is where Dr. Kwane Stewart comes in. He is one of the more famous veterinarians, and he got famous because he goes out on the streets and helps pets that could otherwise not be helped. He is even known as “The Street Vet.”

You might be surprised to learn that as much as 25% of America’s homeless population owns pets. Most of them have pets for companionship, but they also offer a degree of security. Unfortunately, they don’t typically have the means to get them veterinary care.

Dr. Stuart, however, does what he can to assist. At first, he only spent a few hours per day giving free medical care to the pets of the homeless in Los Angeles. After about seven years of doing so, he was part of a television show, Dr. Kwane: The Street Vet and many others got interested in what he was doing.

A nonprofit was started by Dr. Kwane and his brother in 2020. It offers homeless people who own pets free examinations, medication, supplies, and vaccines. They also do what they can to the people be better pet owners through education.

Other charity organizations started to partner with their organization, and it was only a short time before it spread beyond the LA area. These days, their work is found in areas such as Atlanta, Florida, and San Diego.

The best news is some 150 people, and 600 pets were helped as a result of the program.

You can learn more about it in the videos below:

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Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog