Welcome to the VETSOS News Page!

• Significantly increased by 52% our free services to the companion animals of homeless San Franciscans and their humans:
  • 643 animals received urgent & preventive veterinary care
  • 73 animals were tested on-site for infectious diseases
  • 522 animals received vaccinations
  • 281 animals received medication
  • 98 animals were spayed/neutered
  • 11 animals received emergency medical transport & care
  • 717 animals received food &/or pet supplies
  • 316 animals received flea & tick preventative
  • 89 animals received microchips
  • 235 homeless San Franciscans with companion animals received human health referrals
• Provided veterinary care and supplies at all 6 of San Francisco's Project Homeless Connect events, where homeless people and their animal companions accessed health and social services
• Provided veterinary care to animals of homeless San Franciscans in Golden Gate Park during Notre Dame de Namur University’s Thanksgiving Day Picnic
• Participated as a partner in the San Francisco Disaster Preparedness Coalition for Animals, spearheaded by San Francisco Animal Care & Control and the Office of Emergency Services
• Increased operating revenue by over 100% to enhance and sustain services
• Recruited 57 new volunteers, which increased our ability to serve more animals & their humans
• Featured in 2 media pieces that expanded knowledge of work & positively addressed public perception of homeless pet ownership
• VET SOS Project Coordinator, Dr. Ilana Strubel, DVM, was selected by the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation as a recipient of the Heroes & Hearts award for her exceptional & inspirational service to the community

San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium (SFCCC) & Veterinary Street Outreach Services (VET SOS) are grateful to these highly respected and effective animal welfare organizations who serve as our partners in providing care to the companion animals of homeless San Franciscans & their humans:

• San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA)
• San Francisco Animal Care and Control
• Pets are Wonderful Support (PAWS)
• Pets Unlimited
• San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association (SFVMA)

courtesy of SFGate.com and Heather Knight, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, October 29, 2009

It started in October 2004 with Mayor Gavin Newsom and other city workers walking the streets of the Tenderloin and asking homeless people what they needed.

Their goal was to convince those living on the streets to walk into the lobbies of a handful of nearby residential hotels where social workers were waiting to help them sign up for welfare checks, detox programs or housing.

Read the  full article at: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/28/BA9J1ABUFB.DTL#ixzz0VcorwBQ2

By Ilana Strubel, DVM
(courtesy Bay Woof)

Imagine for a moment that your beloved animal companion gets sick. You rush him to the emergency hospital, where he is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Fortunately, you are able to afford the care he needs to survive. You also have the support of friends and family to see you through this difficult time. For many people, this is not the case, which is why I helped found Veterinary Street Outreach Services (VET SOS).

Since our first clinic in June 2001, VET SOS has been conducting outreach clinics and serving the companion animals of homeless San Franciscans. Modeled after and operated under the umbrella of the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium's (SFCCC's) successful Street Outreach Services (SOS) Healthcare for the Homeless Program, VET SOS is a vet clinic on wheels. Our team is comprised of Americorps outreach workers, volunteer veterinarians and vet techs, and other dedicated volunteer members of our community.

 Click here to go to the VET SOS cause page.