Our Work
Project Street Vet offers support to the pets and their owners experiencing or at risk of homelessness. From simple exams to life-saving surgeries - we’re here to help. Our work is carried out mainly through “Street Vet Work,” free pet clinics, and financial assistance.
“Street Vet Work”
Project Street Vet is founded on the inspiring “Street Vet Work” of Dr. Kwane Stewart, who for years has provided direct vet-to-pet services by walking city streets to identify individuals experiencing homelessness with pets. Once identified, free exams, vaccines, flea meds, supplies, and more are offered by our volunteer veterinary teams and information is gathered for follow-ups and additional care. Care and supplies are provided by Project Street Vet at no cost to pet parents.
Street Vet Work is currently done mainly in San Diego and Los Angeles where the homeless population is high. Project Street Vet hopes to expand our team and programs to any area in the U.S. where needed. If you are a veterinarian or veterinary team member interested in providing direct support through Street Vet Work, click here.
A memorable story during our team’s Street Vet Work is the story of Justin and his cat “Um.” Justin found “Um” when he was just a kitten. Today they share an unbreakable bond, “keeping each other warm at night,” as Justin told our team. Justin had been living out of a tent in Los Angeles and working towards getting a job when one day he heard meowing coming out of a nearby dumpster. When he looked inside, he discovered there was a tiny kitten! You can read how the Project Street Vet team (thanks to our supporters) saved “Um” after an emergency and many other stories on our Street Vet Stories Page.
Free Pet Clinics
In addition to Street Vet Work, Project Street Vet partners with organizations serving people experiencing homelessness to host free pet clinics at their sites. During clinics, volunteer veterinary teams provide vaccines, supplies, and minor care, while establishing relationships with pet parents for follow-ups.
We are grateful to have hosted clinics in partnership with amazing groups such as Hope of the Valley Tiny Homes, San Diego Alpha Project, and Loaves & Fishes, and are always looking for new opportunities to service more pets and their people. If you know of any groups that may be interested in a free pet clinic at their site and/or if you are interested in donating pet supplies to an upcoming clinic, please email danae@projectstreetvet.org.
Watch the video below from our clinic in partnership with San Diego Alpha Project!
Special thanks to our volunteer veterinary team from Papaya Pet Care.
Financial Assistance
Project Street Vet assists qualified pet parents with their pet’s veterinary care through financial assistance grants. Whether they are a pet parent we have seen in the past or a new referral, Project Street Vet staff work directly with pet parents to understand what a pet needs and potentially fund for treatments directly to partner veterinary hospitals.
Financial assistance is typically provided for minor care such as vaccines, spay/neuter, and various medications, although it could be something more in-depth like a dental procedure. Emergency cases could also be considered and have been funded. Thanks to Diana’s Friends Fund, Project Street Vet can also assist with personalized end-of-life services. Learn more about our application process here.
If you work for a vet hospital that would be interested in partnering with Project Street Vet, please email danae@projectstreetvet.org.
SKID ROW PET
Launched in late 2023, our Pet Food Pantry in Skid Row, Los Angeles, is managed by Skid Row Community ReFresh Spot and provides free pet food to residents of the area in need, helping to fill a gap in proper pet nutrition. Run by Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, The ReFresh Spot is a community-driven project that provides the Skid Row community access to a restroom, shower, and laundry facility with supportive services, such as linkages to other providers in the area and phone charging.
We are grateful for the success of this program so far with the help of The ReFresh Spot, and anyone can donate pet food and other supplies to this effort here.
