What is Give a Dog a Bone Week?

Homelessness is continuing to rise in several cities, and it's estimated that 5% - 25% of homeless individuals have companion animals who live with them on the streets. Homeless shelters, food banks, and soup kitchens are not always able to provide pet food and supplies for their clients’ four-legged friends, and it can be challenging for homeless pet parents to keep their beloved furry family members fed. That's where Feeding Pets of the Homeless comes to the rescue!

Each year during Give a Dog a Bone Week, the nonprofit Feeding Pets of the Homeless brings together over 200 donation sites across the country to help address this problem. Give a Dog a Bone Week occurs on the first full week of August, meaning this year, it runs from August 4 through August 10, and aims to raise donations of pet food and supplies for the companion animals of unhoused individuals.

Let's take a look at this furbulous organization and all they do for our furry pals!

Feeding Pets of the Homeless was founded by Genevieve Frederick in 2008 after a fateful trip to New York City, where she saw a homeless man with a mixed-breed dog. The pup was healthy and beautiful, and Genevieve wondered why and how the man came to be homeless. She also wondered why anyone with such limited resources would even consider having a pet.

Genevieve’s thoughts followed her home, and upon doing some research she learned that in some areas of the country, as much as 25% of unhoused individuals have companion animals. And when forced to choose between their pet and a roof over their head, most of them choose to stay on the streets with their four-legged friend. 

Wanting to do something for those pets who give their people so much love and comfort, Genevieve started Feeding Pets of the Homeless. Since then, the nonprofit has helped countless animals through the following programs:

• Donation sites. Donation sites are drop-off points for donated pet food and supplies, which are then delivered to homeless shelters, food banks, soup kitchens, and sometimes directly to encampments. Feeding Pets of the Homeless has hundreds of donation sites in all 50 states and a few provinces of Canada. 

• Wellness clinics. Thanks to licensed veterinarians who volunteer their time, the dogs and cats of people experiencing homelessness can get vaccinations, nail trimmings, ear cleanings, and other basic treatments for free. 

• Emergency care assistance. This program makes it possible for severely ill or injured pets living on the streets to receive emergency veterinary care. 

• Crate program. Most homeless individuals will forgo staying in a shelter if pets are not allowed. While some shelters allow companion animals if they are secured in a crate, many homeless people do not have access to these items. Feeding Pets of the Homeless offers crates to shelters so that human and pet can seek refuge together. 

• Veteran pet support. Feeding Pets of the Homeless has always helped homeless veterans. This new program specifically supports HUD-VASH members, who often have severe mental or physical health problems. Pets of veterans in the HUD-VASH program receive veterinary care and vaccinations so they can get into housing with their humans.

Each year, Feeding Pets of the Homeless helps hundreds of animals stay fed and healthy. In 2021, Feeding Pets of the Homeless provided emergency veterinary care for 910 animals and wellness care through its clinics for 279 animals. The organization also distributed nearly 118,000 pounds of pet food to help more than 450 homeless shelters, food banks, and soup kitchens feed their furry clients. Since many businesses and donation sites were closed or limited to the public, Feeding Pets of the Homeless stepped in to purchase over 6,500 pounds of pet food to make up the difference in donations.

Other key 2021 accomplishments include the introduction of the veteran pet support program, the launch of the Give a Dog a Bone Podcast featuring founder Genevieve Frederick, and increased donations on the GlobalGiving platform where Feeding Pets of the Homeless is ranked 22 out of over 7,100 nonprofits worldwide.

Since its founding in 2008, Feeding Pets of the Homeless has helped over 21,775 companion animals, paying more than $2.3 million for their care and treatment. More than 1.6 million pounds of pet food worth nearly $3.5 million have been distributed through their donation sites. And to keep people and their pets together, the crate program has delivered 264 sleeping crates throughout several states. 

While these numbers sound great, it's really all about the pets. 

Many critters have had their lives changed by Feeding Pets of the Homeless. Let's meet a few:

Meet Kelly

Kelly was not eating and was having trouble getting up. After being examined at a local veterinary hospital, it was discovered that the 11-year-old Spaniel had a high fever and mammary masses all over her body, and it was feared that she also had pyometra. Feeding Pets of the Homeless covered $2,000 of medical expenses, and the next day, Kelly underwent spay and mammary tumor removal surgeries. She soon went home and was expected to make a full recovery!

Meet LC

LC was unable to eat and drink properly due to some issues with her teeth. X-rays at the local animal hospital where she was brought revealed that the 10-year-old tuxedo cat had fractures in her teeth, which explained why she was having trouble ingesting food. Feeding Pets of the Homeless contributed $2,000 to help LC have three teeth extracted. She's now recovered and is able to eat. 

Meet Molly

Molly and her dad had been living in their car, so it was easy for her to feel comfortable waiting in it while her human went into a store for supplies. But while waiting, someone threw a molotov cocktail into the vehicle which severely burned the 4-year-old Pitbull on one side of her body. She was rushed to a veterinary hospital for smoke inhalation and burns, and received care for two weeks that included skin grafts and bandage changing each day. Luckily, Feeding Pets of the Homeless stepped in to provide $2,500 towards her care that helped her complete the entire round of treatments. 

These are just a few of the lucky animals who've been helped by this furbulous organization, but there are many more out there that need our assistance. 

With up to 25% of homeless people in the United States with dogs and/or cats, these loyal companions need a little support. Join Feeding Pets of the Homeless's campaign to help them so that no companion animal ever goes hungry! Here are some ways you can support Give a Dog a Bone Week 2022:

• Donate pet food and supplies. Find a donation site in your area by visiting Feeding Pets of the Homeless’ interactive map. Donation sites are businesses that collect pet food and supplies donated by the public and then deliver them to organizations serving homeless and low-income populations.

• Set up your own pet food drive. Anyone is welcome to host a pet food drive in their neighborhood to donate to a local homeless shelter, food bank, or soup kitchen. When you sign up as a participant, you’ll receive a digital partner kit, exclusive tips, and other resources to help your drive become successful. 

• Buy a T-shirt. Every purchase of the exclusive, limited edition Give a Dog a Bone Week T-shirt helps raise funds for pet food and supplies.

• Spread the word on social media. Let your friends, family, and followers know about this good cause by posting about it on your social media accounts.