Phoenix VA teams up with local pet organization to help Veterans
Nothing is more painful than being separated from loved ones, especially in a hard situation. For many homeless Veterans looking for rehousing, that is a reality they face, being separated from their animals—their loved ones.
Often, they must surrender their pets to the shelters, with no guarantee they’ll get them back. But AzPets has sought to change that. AzPets is a local organization founded in 2000 by Maricopa County to assist animals in need.
In 2022, AzPets turned its focus towards Veterans and has been helping Veterans who are in re-housing programs with their pets.
“Each situation is different,” said Michele Soto, AzPets director. “We help the most through [animal] medical assistance.”
A lot of Veterans who own a pet and are being rehoused often need specific vaccinations for their animal, and AzPets help with that.
“Most people need medical assistance for their pet, like vaccinations, because of a housing situation,” said Soto.
They also help with more dire situations, like Veterans entering temporary housing which prohibits pets.
“We also help with temporary boarding. With how bad the housing crisis is right now people just need a place for their pet to be until they land on their feet,” said Soto.
AzPets does not shelter the animals, nor do they own shelters, but communicates with other shelters in the valley, and its those shelters that take on the pets and take care of them while the Veteran gets the help they need.
The services provided brings much relief to many Veterans. According to Forbes, currently 66% of households own a pet. Also, according to the National Association of Realtors, only 40% of households have children. While this data says a lot, there is one thing to take away: pet-families are the new normal.
“The connection people have with their pets is very deep,” said Tom McCoy, Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System Pharmacy Administrative Officer. “To be separated from your pet is a reality for people who have trouble with their housing. We just had a lady here who became homeless and had to surrender her pet to the Humane Society, and it was heartbreaking. It’s good to know that there’s a program like this that helps Veterans with their pets during trying times, because it’s something often overlooked.”