For pet owners facing financial hardship and even homelessness in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Humane Society Silicon Valley has programs to help keep their furry or feathered family members fed and healthy.
Just before the “shelter in place” order went into effect, the Humane Society was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Petco Foundation to support its free basic veterinary services for the pets of unhoused families in Santa Clara County. The grant allows the Humane Society to provide free spay and neuter surgeries, vaccines, flea treatment, deworming, microchips and other basic health services.
The Humane Society has seen the need for these services grow during the pandemic.
“This service has been critical as we see an increased need for people to have access to care and services after being impacted by COVID-19 and the economy,” says Stephanie Ladeira, chief of philanthropy and community development for the Milpitas-based nonprofit.
These medical services fall under the animal shelter’s Community Development Program, which also includes a pet pantry that provides free pet food to pet owners facing financial hardships, and emergency boarding services to support those needing temporary housing and care for their pets while seeking shelter or facing hospitalization.
Most recently, the grant supported the Humane Society’s COVID-safe roving medical clinic. Shelter staff worked with local organizations to visit homeless shelters and encampments to provide services to animals belonging to residents. They performed core vaccinations, microchipping, nail trimming, deworming and flea and tick treatments.
In addition to funding, Petco also runs Neighborhood Adoption Centers for the Humane Society out of its Sunnyvale and West San Jose locations. These centers are closed while the “shelter in place” order is in effect, but adoptions are going forward virtually. From mid-March through mid-June, the Humane Society took in more than 600 animals from rescue partners.
For more information on the virtual adoption process, visit https://www.hssv.org/adopt.
