Last Updated on August 21, 2023 by Hannah Stevens
You can also take a look at the pet grants from all the other states.
About Veterinary Street Outreach Street Services (VET SOS)
WHAT IS VET SOS
Vet SOS offers free veterinary care for pets of homeless people in San Francisco and connects them with health care services. They have been in operation since 2001, and it is a sister program of SFCCC’s Street Outreach Services (SOS) program.
WHAT THEY DO
Vet SOS has pop-up clinics that are open twice a month, and all visits are by appointment only. They can offer weekly curbside delivery of pet food and supplies free of charge, which are also by appointment. For current clients, they also offer medication refills and telemedicine.
For updates and stories, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
HOW THEY DO IT
The Vet SOS team meets homeless people directly – on their turf – and builds trust with them. This helps to break down barriers that prevent homeless people and their companion pets from receiving the care they need and deserve.
THEIR GOALS
- Achieve improvement of the health of companion animals of homeless San Franciscans
- Reduce the spread of infectious diseases
- Reduce pet overpopulation
- Encourage the bond between human and animal
- Give health information and referrals to San Franciscans who are homeless
- Advocate for the welfare of homeless pet guardians, and their companion animals
THEIR SERVICES
- On-site veterinary wellness examinations, which includes routine procedures and vaccinations
- Rabies certificates
- Registration and implantation of microchips
- Distribution of pet food, leashes, collars, and other supplies
- Referral and transport to free spay/neuter surgery and other veterinary care
- Connection to human health services
THEIR SUCCESSES
Every year, more than 500 companion animals are provided free veterinary care from the organization.
VISIT THEIR OFFICE
San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium
170 Capp Street, Suite C
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 355-2248
Eligibility
ACCESSING OUR SERVICES
Vet SOS offers free veterinary care for homeless San Franciscans’ companion animals.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
You must be homeless to be eligible for Vet SOS services. You will also need to provide documentation after your first visit on a form they will give you, which can also be found here.
Most of the clients live on the streets, in parks, emergency shelters, and temporary SRO hotel rooms. Therefore, you will not be eligible for Vet SOS services if you have low income but are housed.
You are considered a current Vet SOS client if they have seen at least one of your companion animals in the past year, and you have or will bring to Vet SOS an approved Vet SOS homeless verification letter.
BETWEEN CLINICS
Please contact the nearest veterinary clinic if you need urgent veterinary care between Vet SOS clinics. Pets of the Homeless may be able to give financial assistance if you have pre-approved emergency visits. Contact them at 775-841-7463, Monday through Friday, 9am – 3pm PST.
Current Vet SOS clients who are in good standing can receive limited emergency care for their pet between Vet SOS clinic dates through the partnership with the SF SPCA, a veterinary hospital in San Francisco. However, this is only possible if all the following criteria are met:
- Your companion animal is a dog or a cat.
- Your pet is spayed or neutered.
- If within the past 12 months, your pet has been to a Vet SOS clinic.
- Vet SOS has on file a current eligibility letter signed by a local homeless service provider in the last 12 month.
If you are eligible, in the case of a veterinary emergency, you can call the SF SPCA on 415-554-3030.
Its also worth taking a look at San Francisco Aid for Animals and Second Chance Fund.
