Animal Care of Ponte Vedra was recently welcomed by national nonprofit Pets of the Homeless as a new donation site.
Donations of pet food and supplies can be taken to 880 N. A1A Suite 21 in Ponte Vedra, to ultimately be delivered to a local food bank, homeless shelter or homeless encampment. The donation program is an ongoing national effort to regularly supply pet food to local populations who cannot afford to properly provide for their pets.
According to Pets of the Homeless, approximately 80 percent of people who experience homelessness are homeless for a short period of time and typically need help finding housing or a rent subsidy. Homeless people with pets, the organization said, are often forced to choose between their pet or a home. As a result, most choose to stay on the streets with their pets for longer periods of time.
The organization also stated that it is estimated that one in four homeless and disadvantaged people have a pet. More than 18,311 pets have been medically treated through the assistance of Pets of the Homeless, with 577 tons of pet food collected and distributed at 400 donation sites nationwide. Pets of the Homeless has provided over $796,746 in emergency veterinary care to pets of the homeless.
Animal Care of Ponte Vedra accepts pet food donations all year. For more information, call (904) 280-4544, or call Pets of the Homeless at (775) 841-7463.
