About Us

From the Founder – Genevieve Frederick

In 2005, I published a book Happy Tails-Hilariously Helpful Hints for Dog Owners.  Dr. Gary Ailes was a co-author.  While working with Gary Ailes and his partner, Woody Allen, doing some public relations for the book, they asked me to do some additional public relations projects for their hospital.  Having worked with them for a few months, I realized that veterinarians are not taught to promote and market their hospitals/clinics in medical school.  In fact, most doctors only put an ad in the yellow pages and hope that word of mouth will get them new clients.  So I thought of a program that could involve veterinary hospitals around the country to publicize their business while helping pets.

In 2006, my husband and I had visited New York City and saw a homeless man on the sidewalk begging and laying along his side was a pathetic dog.  When I returned home I started researching the homeless with pets.  And I asked myself why would those folks who can barely feed themselves have a pet?  The answer became obvious; their pets are nonjudgmental, providing comfort and an emotional bond of loyalty.  In some cases, they provide the homeless with protection and keep them warm.  The tragic part is that the pets of the homeless do not choose their owners.  The numbers are mind boggling*.  I regress . . . Then I started to talk to people about the idea of Feeding Pets of the Homeless.  Everyone seemed supportive and thought it was a wonderful idea. 

After a year of researching, writing and editing the program was launched at the end of 2007 using Dr. Ailes and Dr. Allen’s practice as the first to start collecting pet food for the homeless and disadvantaged in my town.  I used the press release samples that are in the step by step program and the local press and a local TV station picked it up immediately.  Dr. Ailes and Dr. Allen were excited and pleased.  They had a 55 gallon trash can filled that first day and they have received hundreds of pounds of pet food since. I sent out a pre-publication press release to the vet trade magazines and again an editor from Veterinary Practice News picked up the release and wrote a wonderful article with photos from the website and quotes from Dr. Ailes and Monte Fast (from the local food bank) that was published a few weeks later. 

To my amazement the organization quickly evolved into the nonprofit it is today, having received our IRS Determination letter effective July 2008.  With the cash donations that started pouring in we started giving grants to veterinarians in 2008.  We are an all volunteer organization with no paid staff.  Many magazines, newspapers, bloggers, radio, television and social media such as Facebook and Twitter have helped spread the word, without the benefit of funds to advertise. 

*It is estimated by the National Coalition for the Homeless that 3.5 million people are homeless.  Between 5% to 10% of homeless people have dogs and/or cats. In some areas of the country the rate is as high as 24%.  Most people who experience homelessness are homeless for a short period of time, and usually need help finding housing or a rent subsidy.   But unfortunately for those with pets it becomes more difficult.  Many are forced to choose between their pet or a roof over their head.  Surprisingly, most choose to stay on the streets with their pets for longer periods of time.