Carson City-based pet food crisis national organization receives Duffield foundation grant

Feeding Pets of the Homeless, a national animal welfare nonprofit based in Carson City, Nev., received a $3,000 grant from the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation to provide financial assistance towards helping those in Northern Nevada.

Founded in 2008, Feeding Pets of the Homeless provides free pet food, supplies, emergency veterinary care and wellness clinics to companion animals of the homeless population across the nation. The organization also supplies sleeping crates for animals allowing homeless to bring their pets to shelters.

“Companion animals are often the only support, comfort, protection and warmth that a homeless person may have,” Genevieve Frederick, founder and president of Feeding Pets of the Homeless, said. “In 2019, we provided $287,000 toward emergency veterinary care and over 63 tons of food to animals nationwide.”

“The Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation is proud to support organizations whose programs work to keep pets and people together. Feeding Pets of the Homeless provides an important safety net for those who may not have access to affordable veterinary care for their beloved pets in our Northern Nevada communities," said Jerleen Bryant, executive director of the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation.

“Every week on average, we provide emergency veterinary assistance to 23 pets of the human homeless population, which is up from last year’s average of 20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Frederick said. “We are grateful for the grants from the Doris Day Animal Foundation which will allow us to continue to provide care to more pets that are ill or injured.”

In 2018, more than 552,000 Americans experienced homelessness on a single night, with as many as 25 percent of which have dogs, cats or both, Frederick said. The need for pet food and veterinary care is a continued concern for homeless people and pets that rely on them.

To find more information or to donate directly to Feeding Pets of the Homeless, visit www.petsofthehomeless.org. People who are homeless and in need of emergency veterinary care or food for their pets can visit the website, call (775) 841-7463, or have their social worker contact Feeding Pets of the Homeless.

About The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation:
The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation is a private charitable foundation based in Incline Village, Nevada. The Duffield’s are the founders of Maddie’s Fund, a leading animal welfare foundation dedicated to revolutionizing the status and well-being of companion animals. The Duffield’s are long-time benefactors of companion animal causes, education initiatives, and veterans programs. They thoughtfully honor the spirit of their dog Maddie in their philanthropy pursuits to thank her for her love and companionship.

About Feeding Pets of the Homeless:
Feeding Pets of the Homeless believes in the healing power of companion pets and of the human-animal bond, which is very important in the lives of many homeless. They find solace, protection and companionship through their pets. They care for their pets on limited resources so they themselves have less. The task, nationwide, is to feed and provide basic emergency veterinary care to their pets and thus relieve the anguish and anxiety of the homeless who cannot provide for their pets. For more information, please visit www.petsofthehomeless.org.