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Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Home Van Pet Care Project News -- July 2016

from Elizabeth Howard, coordinator

"... the days went by like paper in the wind...
everything changed, and then changed again
It's hard to find a friend
It's hard to find a friend"
Tom Petty


Time flies. We work hard to help the pets of homeless and very low income people in our community. Most of our time, energy and money goes to pet food and distribution, as this is our primary mission. We continue our weekly pet food distribution at two locations, Downtown behind Lynch Park on Wednesdays and at Dignity Village on Saturdays.

Dignity Village:  The pet population at Dignity Village seems to stay around 25-30 dogs and 5-6 cats. We have a veterinary clinic supervised by Patti Gordon, DVM there once a month and are doing really well in keeping everyone vaccinated, spayed and neutered. When the process is complete we are able to purchase a County license tag for each pet.

Lola May lived at Dignity Village but wasn’t doing well there. Lola May is affectionate, smart, and playful. She is awaiting adoption at Alachua County Animal Services. She is #542348 and you can visit her during regular visiting hours.






Brian and his dog Angel attended the June veterinary clinic at Dignity Village. Angel updated her vaccines and had a health checkup.


Life is not easy for homeless people nor is it easy for their pets. Due to tethering regulations dogs at Dignity are confined much more than any of us would like. If you feel that you can befriend a homeless person and devote some time each week to walking a dog or two around a paved access road, please get in touch and we will make the introductions.

Downtown:  People are scattered in their living situations and they come by bus, bike and on foot. Most don’t bring their pets. We park behind Lynch Park and hand out the pet food from our vehicles. It is quite different from Dignity Village, where the dogs are “right there” and the campsites are close by. Some of these people we have known for a long time and sometimes we make a home visit to meet the animals. Twenty-five or 30 people attend each week.


(Left) Pat picks up food for her two dogs and keeps them healthy at St. Francis Pet Care Clinic. Pat has been our friend for a long time.

(Right) Charles has educated himself about spay/neuter and has been responsible for the spaying and neutering of a dozen cats, as well as educating others in his neighborhood.






New Projects:

Preparation for Emergency evacuation. We’re working on a project to help with pet evacuations from Dignity Village in event of an emergency such as a hurricane.
Wish list for emergency: Metal crates. Cat carriers. Collars, leashes and harnesses. Water bowls and food bowls. Prepare small packs of dry food and canned food. Bottled water. Please call us for current needs as we are now working on an evacuation process for the animals. We will need volunteers to help prepare the animals and also to feed, water and walk them after evacuation.

Meeting with Gainesville Police and Animal Services officers: Home Van Pet Care, Gainesville Police and Alachua County Animal Services all work closely with these officers to help the animals. We’re presently working together on emergency evacuation plans as well as keeping safe, keeping the animals safe and continuing to respect the animal human bond. These officers are very kind to work us into their demanding schedules and we appreciate their help very much.

General Needs Wish List:
Running lines. Please donate funds as we like a special kind or call for information.
Cat Carriers in good condition.
Animal crates, newer folding type in good condition, medium and large.
Collars, leashes and harnesses.
Two dogs need houses, best to get large size.
Dry food for both cats and dogs, Purina green bag dog food, or Publix brand dog, Friskies Seafood Sensation for the cats.
Please call for more information and special needs or types.

Financial donations can be made by check payable to Home Van Pet Care Project, Inc., and mailed c/o Elizabeth Howard, P.O. Box 14305, Gainesville FL 32604; or by PayPal at our blog, http://homevanpetcareproject.blogspot.com. Pet food and other items can be dropped off at Sisset's Home and Patio, 3429 W. University Avenue in Gainesville, 352-224-5192.  For more information or to volunteer, call or text 352-246-2727.

Also, don't forget our Amazon Wish List!  Or designate Home Van Pet Care Project as your beneficiary on Amazon Smile.