The ElleVet Project to launch summer veterinary mobile relief tour

Photo courtesy of The ElleVet Project.

The ElleVet Project is making a return with its summer veterinary mobile relief tour offering free veterinary care and supplies to the pets of the unhoused and low-income communities in the US. The tour starts on June 5, 2023 and continues during the year traveling through California, Washington, and Montana.

According to an organizational release,¹ it will make over 30 stops to treat thousands of thousands of pets with an array of services from vaccines to flea and tick preventatives to deworming to general checkups, along with emergency surgeries and offer donated pet supplies to owners. This comes pet ownership has skyrocketed since the pandemic, and veterinary care has become increasingly challenging to find in vulnerable communities.

"Pet ownership within the unhoused and low-income communities provides mental and physical health benefits to their owners - especially women safety benefits," said Amanda Howland, co-founder of The ElleVet Project, in the release. "By treating the pets, we are helping the owners in numerous ways."

Co-founder and CEO Christian Kjaer added, "Pets are an anchor for someone living in these vulnerable communities. When you speak with people experiencing hard times about their pets, it's incredibly helpful to break down conversation barriers and give them extra comfort knowing their pet is being given proper medical services."¹

"About 93% of the people disintegrated by homelessness have no connection whatsoever to family, so having a pet means everything to people devastated by homelessness. It was overwhelming to see the amount of people with their pets come to The ElleVet Project's 'ElleVan' to get their pets taken care of,” expressed Reverend Andy Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission. "If you are a woman on the streets," Reverend Bales continues, "you have no chance of escaping the threat of rape and women are owning pets for their protection."

Many individuals who have benefited from free veterinary care The ElleVet Project provided cited that the peace of mind knowing their pet is getting the necessary medical assistance is immeasurable.¹

Unhoused resident Jenny, owner of Sis stated: "People try to come into my tent Sis would throw them in the river. Knowing she is getting a physical and her shots for free is a great comfort to me."

Meanwhile, unhoused resident Jonathan, shared, "I only have so much money to live off and for a vet to treat Gaucho, it would have taken me 10 months to save up. ElleVet's services gave us a great gift by treating him."

"People don't have money or transportation to get their dog medical help," explains unhoused resident Ellie. "To get Ranger treated for free is unbelievable, what a blessing."

By teaming up with local city officials and municipalities, The ElleVet Project hosts a rotating team of veterinarians for the free veterinary offerings. The ElleVet Project travels in a 32-foot RV dubbed the "ElleVan." The complete schedule of summer dates and locations is available on the nonprofit's website. Donations for vaccines, medical supplies, and emergency surgeries can also be accepted on the website.

"The ElleVet Project" was initiated in April 2020 as the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of ElleVet Sciences.

Reference

The ElleVet Project, a national nonprofit offering free veterinary care to pets in vulnerable communities, kicks off their summer tour beginning June 5, 2023. News release. The ElleVet Project. May 31, 2023. Accessed May 31, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-ellevet-project-a-national-nonprofit-offering-free-veterinary-care-to-pets-in-vulnerable-communities-kicks-off-their-summer-tour-beginning-june-5-2023-301837633.html