Vet SOS Volunteers Reach Out

by Emilia Gordon, DVM

They come on chains and suitcase straps, on donated leashes and in duffel bags. Some come willingly, others are reluctant. Dogs of all descriptions, calm and wild, big and small, young and old, all come accompanied by their homeless humans. And they all come for the same reason: they need a veterinarian.

The volunteer veterinarians and technicians of Veterinary Street Outreach Services (VET SOS) are dedicated to providing the care these dogs need. Since 2001 VET SOS has served the companion animals of San Francisco’s homeless by providing free basic medical care, pet supplies and food, and arranging for free spay/ neuter surgery.

A Day in the life of VET SOS Volunteers

A typical mobile outreach day starts with a veterinarian like myself, along with several other volunteers, rattling through the city streets in our signature blue van. We head for predetermined areas where we know, through word of mouth or voice mail, that our clients, San Francisco’s homeless pet guardians, are waiting.

Our destinations are located down unpaved and dead-end roads just minutes from Pac Bell Park and the city’s sparkling skyscrapers. Though some of our clients stay in the rare transitional housing or shelters that allow companion animals, many live in tents, in cars, and in doorways. Often their dogs are their only dependable source of emotional support, and human and canine have stayed together through losses of homes, jobs, and families.

Courage to Change a Life

Many clients, like Mary [editor’s note: names changed by author], are trying to escape abusive relationships. On this day, Mary presents her small black Chihuahua mix, Lily, for an exam. Lily is completely healthy except for a few fleas. As I examine Lily, Mary looks down at the ground, her hand frozen on Lily’s sleek back. I give Lily vaccines and flea medication. Mary tells me about her violent ex and how hard it was to leave.

Like many of our clients, Mary takes better care of her dog than she does herself. As they are leaving, Mary finally looks at me directly. Her front teeth are broken, her hair tangled, her lipstick smeared. She wants to know if she “looks okay.” I tell her yes and hope that Lily will help her stay strong enough to change her life.

A Lifetime Companion

Other clients are chronically homeless, the hardened men most people think of when they hear the word “homeless,” although these men comprise only a fraction of the people without a place to sleep on any given San Francisco night.

One such man is Dave, who brings his tiny terrier mix Max to our table. Max is 14 years old and has been Dave’s constant companion. Recently Dave noticed that Max has discharge from his eyes, a cough, and terrible breath.

The physical exam reveals that Max has severe dental disease, a loud heart murmur, infections in both eyes, and that he isn’t neutered. In general we will see an un-neutered patient only once. At that point we arrange for the animal to be altered for free and won’t treat him again until it is done. Part of our mission is to support existing human-animal bonds while reducing pet overpopulation.

Dave is willing to have his dog neutered, but Max needs additional care to further investigate his heart, eye, and dental problems first. He could be in early heart failure and should have diagnostics before undergoing anesthesia for the neuter surgery. I provide antibiotics and eye ointment on the spot and fill out a referral form for a follow-up session at one of our partner animal hospitals. I hope that we can give Dave and Max more time together.

Many of our clients tell us that their pets have “saved their lives” by forcing them to seek much needed help. These pets enhance the health of our community by caring for and receiving care from our most vulnerable human neighbors. VET SOS exists to keep these pets healthy.