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Veterinary Street Outreach Services (VET SOS) Overview

VET SOS Services

VET SOS is in immediate need of the following Program Supplies

VET SOS 2010 Schedule

VET SOS 2009 Highlights

VETSOS Partners

Complimentary Auxilary Services

VET SOS Advisory Committee

In The News

Where Do I Call?

Volunteer With VET SOS

Veterinary Street Outreach Services (VET SOS)

Street Outreach Services (SOS) is the mobile outreach component of SFCCC’s Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) program. Since 1988, SOS has provided high quality, non-judgmental health services directly to homeless people in places where they live and congregate.

VET SOS is a project of Street Outreach Services. SOS utilizes every avenue to reach its homeless clients, many of whom have companion animals, to link them successfully into primary care services. Based on an idea from a former SOS client, the SOS program partnered with a volunteer veterinarian in 2001, to begin offering care to homeless animals, as a way to reach out to homeless San Franciscans. This pilot project has been very successful in getting our clients linked to health and other social services -- the first step to turning their lives around. Research confirms our findings of the importance of the human-animal bond, as a road to healing.

This innovative outreach project addresses the unique problems of homeless individuals with companion animals. Services are provided by volunteer veterinarians and veterinary technicians, through the use of a specially equipped mobile outreach van. VET SOS provides physical exams, basic medical procedures, vaccinations, referrals, and transportation for free spay/neuter surgery, and dispenses information about service animals in rental housing and responsible pet ownership.

VET SOS visits the Bayview-Hunter's Point, China Basin, and Castro/Mission neighborhoods on the second Friday of each month. In addition, the project provides its services at San Francisco's six annual Project Homeless Connect events in the Civic Center, and participates in the annual Thanksgiving dinner for homeless people with companion animals.

VET SOS carries vaccinations, medications, medical charts, animal food, leashes, collars, halters, and other necessary supplies that are dispensed, on-site, by a volunteer staff that includes one veterinarian, one vet tech, and an animal assistant. When possible, an animal behaviorist joins this team. In addition to providing physical exams, basic medical procedures and vaccinations, the team also provides health education and responsible pet ownership education, as well as referrals and transportation for free spay/neuter surgery.

VET SOS promotes prevention, as well as intervention. VET SOS requires that pet owners spay and neuter their companion animals through the donated services of a partner agency in order to continue receiving services.

Clients can make specific appointments to receive the outreach services by calling the VET SOS hotline at 415-355-2248. In addition, they can call the hotline between visits, when problems arise with their companion animals. VET SOS is not currently designed to handle a continuous flow of animal emergencies. However, urgent calls to the hotline are triaged twice per week by the VET SOS team, who then distribute information and resources to homeless clients, as needed. Clients are referred to partner agencies on many occasions, for further support.

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VET SOS Services

VET SOS PROVIDES (DURING SCHEDULED CLINICS ONLY):

• DHPP, FVRCP vaccinations
• Rabies vaccinations, rabies tags, and vaccine certificates
• Heartworm testing and heartworm preventatives
• Felv/FIV testing
• Limited laboratory testing of blood and urine, or cytology
• Flea control products
• De-worming medications
• Oral and topical treatments for common skin, eye, and ear infections
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain control and arthritis
• Anti-diarrheal medications
• Nutritional supplements and hairball preventatives
• Administration of subcutaneous fluids
• Basic grooming procedures, including: toe nail trimming, ear cleaning, and anal gland expression
• Microchip implantation and registration (only for spayed or neutered animals)
• Transportation to SF/SPCA for routine spay/neuter services (for healthy animals up to 6 years old)- Clients are responsible for animal pick-up
• Referral to Pets Unlimited for spay/neuter services (for animals 6+ years old) and/or services outside of VET SOS scope- Clients are responsible for transportation
• Referrals to free human health services for pet guardians

VET SOS DOES NOT PROVIDE:

• Anesthetic procedures or any procedures requiring sedation
• Euthanasia
• Controlled drugs
• Ongoing care for chronic illnesses, e.g. diabetes, neoplasia, hypertension
• Blood pressure monitoring
• IV fluid administration
• Diagnostic imaging, e.g. radiography, ultrasonagraphy
• EKG monitoring
• Any veterinary care outside of regularly scheduled clinic hours

[Note: Some limited support services are available FOR ESTABLISHED VET SOS CLIENTS ONLY outside of clinic hours, including: Refill of medications (as available); E-mail and voicemail retrieval and phone triage/ referral for care; Medical record faxing and copying; Pet supplies and food pick up (as available). Please call in advance.]

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VET SOS IS IN IMMEDIATE NEED OF THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM SUPPLIES

VET SOS relies on donated supplies to provide free care to the companion animals of homeless San Franciscans and their human guardians. We are indebted to the generous contributions of our supporters and welcome your assistance. Please review the following guidelines for details about our current needs.

Pet Supplies:
New OR used and in good, clean condition, please!
□ Muzzles, slip leads, and braided leash restraints
□ Harnesses, collars, leashes, gentle leaders, and halti head-halters of all sizes
□ Small dog/cat plastic or cardboard-type pet carriers
□ Cat litter boxes and litter/ hairball medications
□ Toys, treats, bowls, and pet food
□ Pet sweaters, bedding, and towels
□ Any topical or oral: flea, tick, mite, and heartworm preventives that are not expired
□ Non-expired prescription medications in their original packaging. Any over the counter products such as: shampoos, vitamins, nutrient/joint supplements, dental supplies, and topical ear, skin, eye meds.

Medical Supplies:
□ Idexx Snap tests for Heartworm, FeLV/FIV, Giardia, and Parvovirus
□ Non-expired or short date vaccines such as: Feline Purevax Rabies, Feline Purevax FeLV with Vet Jet Injector, Canine Bordetella, Canine DHPP, Canine DHLPP, and Canine Rabies Imrab
□ LRS Fluids and Macrodrip venosets
□ 1cc and 3cc Syringes
□ 18g, 22g, and 25g needles
□ Petroleum jelly, lube, and thermometer probe covers
□ Cotton balls and latex gloves
□ Sharps containers, pill bottles, amber glass droppers, and plastic squeeze bottles
□ Disinfectants such as: Roccal-D, hand sanitizer, Nolvasan solution, hydrogen peroxide, and rubbing alcohol, etc….

Prescription Medications:
New OR non-expired medications in their original containers, please!
o Acepromazine oral/ injectable
o Amoxi tabs/ drops
o Animax/ Panalog topicals
o Baytril oral/ injectable
o Betagen/ topical steroid sprays/ lotions
o BNP ophth. ointment
o Cephalexin
o Convenia Injectable
o Clavamox tabs and drops
o Clindamycin
o Diphenhydramine
o Doxycycline
o Droncit/ Drontal/ Praziquantal generics
o All Ear Cleaning products
o Erythromycin/Terramycin ophth. ointment
o Gentamicin opht. drops
o Ivercide injectable
o Ketoconazole
o Metacam, Rimadyl, other NSAIDS
o Metronidazole
o Neo-poly-B-Dex ointment
o Neo Predef powder
o Nutri-Cal
o Panacure/ other dewormers
o Prednisone/ oral steroids
o Proin
o Promeris
o Pyrantel Pamoate/ Strongid/Nemex
o Sterile eye wash solution
o Tri-otic/ Otomax/Mometamax

Please Note: We CANNOT ACCEPT ANY expired medications.

We also CANNOT ACCEPT ANY herbal medications, controlled drugs, open injectables, medications that require refrigeration or have already been reconstituted.

We would also gladly accept Gift Cards to Costco, or other large pharmacies, Pet Food Express, Petco, PetsMart or other pet supply stores.

If you would like to make a cash donation, you can do so online at www.sfccc.org or www.vetsos.org.

Checks can be made payable to SFCCC-VET SOS and mailed to our office: 1550 Bryant Street, Suite 450, San Francisco, CA 94103.

Donations can also be dropped off at our office Mon-Fri between 9am-4pm.

If you have any questions about whether we can accept your donation, please contact our office: 415-355-2248.

Thank you for your generous support of VET SOS !!!

(Gifts may be mailed to the VET SOS office or donated online)

• Liability insurance for program volunteers - $1,800 annually
• Storage space - $1,500 annually
• Outreach van maintenance & repairs- $2,250 annually
• Outreach van fuel - $360 annually
• Outreach van insurance - $1,600 annually
• Outreach van parking - $1,740 annually
• Outreach van registration - $750 annually

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VET SOS 2010 Schedule

• January 8th
• February 12th
• February 24th
• March 12th
• April 9th
• May 7th
• June 11th
• June 25th
• July 9th
• August 13th
• September 10th
• September 29th
• October 8th
• November 10th
• November 25th
• December 8th
• December 22nd
  

For more information, please call our voicemail at 415-355-2248 or e-mail us at vetsos@sfccc.org.

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VET SOS 2009 Highlights

• Significantly increased by 41% our free services to the companion animals of homeless San Franciscans and their humans:
  • 905 animal wellness visits were provided
  • 65 on-site tests were administered for infectious veterinary diseases
  • 661 animal vaccinations were given
  • 415 animal medications were dispensed
  • 102 animals were spayed/neutered
  • 8 animals received emergency medical transport & care
  • 900 packages of pet food &/or supplies were distributed
  • 378 flea & tick preventative treatments were administered
  • 124 animals received microchips
  • 269 homeless San Franciscans with companion animals received human health information and referrals
• Provided services at all 5 of San Francisco's Project Homeless Connect events, where homeless people and their animal companions accessed health and social services.

• Provided services in Golden Gate Park during Notre Dame de Namur University’s Thanksgiving Day Picnic.

• Participated as a partner in the San Francisco Disaster Preparedness Coalition for Animals, spearheaded by San Francisco Animal Care & Control and the Office of Emergency Services.

• Recruited 53 new volunteers, which increased our ability to serve more animals and their humans.

• Featured in 2 media pieces that expanded knowledge of work & positively addressed public perception of homeless pet ownership.

• Launched VET SOS presence on Facebook.

• Broadened funding base to grow and sustain key services. Received institutional giving from: The Thornton and Katrina Glide Foundation- $10,000; The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation- $7,500; San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association - $3,000; and Petco Foundation - $1,500.

• San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium (SFCCC) & Veterinary Street Outreach Services (VET SOS) are grateful to these highly respected and effective animal welfare organizations who serve as our partners in this successful 9-year project:
  • San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SFSPCA)
  • San Francisco Animal Care and Control
  • Pets are Wonderful Support (PAWS)
  • Pets Unlimited
  • San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association (SFVMA).

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VET SOS Partners

Through the leadership of the SFCCC's SOS program, the VET SOS project brings together five highly respected and effective animal welfare organizations to participate in this project:

San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SFSPCA). The San Francisco SPCA provides VET SOS with free spay/neuter services for animals under six years of age, pet food, free short-term boarding after-spay/neuter surgery, and no-interest payment arrangements for advanced or urgent-care, provided through its community veterinary practice. www.sfspca.org

San Francisco Animal Care and Control provides VET SOS with free microchipping clinics through "Friends of AC&C," donates free DHLPP, FVRCP, and rabies vaccines, maintains a donation bin for supplies and pet food in their lobby, collaborates with VET SOS to reduce fees and prevent over-vaccination of animals by obtaining up-to-date patient records when impounded, and in special circumstances, provides emergency boarding for up to 14 days, when contacted by the appropriate authority. http://www.sfgov.org/site/acc_index.asp

Pets are Wonderful Support (PAWS) provides VET SOS with storage space and supplemental supplies of pet food and accessories to VET SOS and enrolls eligible clients for additional PAWS services, such as: discounted preventative and emergency vet care, emergency foster care, and PAWS also provides VET SOS clients free information on safe pet guidelines for innunocompromised pet owners and their physicians, and counseling and advocacy in regard to animal rights. http://www.pawssf.org/

Pets Unlimited provided VET SOS with $1,000 in seed money in 2001 to launch this unique outreach program and it continues to promote and support VET SOS's high quality, effective services. Pets Unlimited provides discounted veterinary care to clients who are referred by VET SOS. In addition, Pets Unlimited oversees a pet-sitting service so homeless San Franciscans can receive support from service providers at San Francisco's Project Homeless Connect events. http://www.petsunlimited.org/

San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association promotes VET SOS to its members who, in turn, volunteer their services as veterinarians and veterinary technicians. SFVMA provided an initial $1,000 grant to suppport VET SOS services in 2005, and continues to provide on-going financial support.

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Complimentary Auxiliary Services

The Friends of San Francisco Animal Care and Control (FSFACC) is the only nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for the city's municipal, open-door animal shelter, San Francisco Animal Care and Control (ACC), and its partnering rescue groups, in order to establish or enhance programs of humane welfare, comfort and placement, public service and humane education. The Friends of Animal Care and Control is providing complimentary microchipping clinics for VET SOS clients in good standing.

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VET SOS Advisory Committee

Bess Touma Vice President for Advancement San Francisco Conservatory of Music Chair Advisory Committee	Dr. Betty Carmack, Ed.D., R.N. Professor Emerita University of San Francisco
Dr. Emilia Gordon, DVM Veterinarian Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society	Jennifer Isaacson Senior Manager Deloitte Consulting LLP
Dr. Cheryl Joseph, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology & Sociology: Animals in Human Society Notre Dame de Namur University	Leigh Moyer Webmaster UC Berkeley, College of Chemistry
Beth Rittenhouse, M.S. Director, Community Services San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium	Mark Rogers Mark Rogers Photography
Dr. Ilana Strubel, DVM Project Coordinator Veterinary Street Outreach Services San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium	Kathryn E. Coffey Private Equity Professional

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In the News

2010 SOS & VetSOS Volunteer Appreciation Party

San Francisco Chronicle, "Reaching Out to Roofless Pets." To read the full article, please click here.

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Where do I Call?

If you have:

• Any pet guardian with a veterinary emergency, call Pets Unlimited (night/day), SF SPCA (day only)
• Homeless pet guardian needing routine vet care, call VET SOS
• Homeless/low-income pet guardian needing non-emergency vet care, call SF SPCA
• Homeless/low-income pet guardian with disabling ilnees needng routine hel, call: PAWS for general support; Pets Unlimited and SF SPCA for veterinary help
• Homeless/low-income senior needing veterinary help, call SF SPCA.
• Anyone needing information about diseases that can be transmitted by pets, call PAWS
• Anyone looking for pet-friendly rentals, call SF SPCA
• Anyone looking to adopt a pet, call SF SPCA, Pets Unlimited, SF Animal Care and Control
• Anyone who has lost or found a pet, call SF Animal Care and Control
• Anyone needing to license a pet, call SF Animal Care and Control
• Anyone wishing to report a case of animal abuse or neglect, call SF Animal Care and Control

PAWS: Provides ervices to homeless people with a disabling illness. Contact PAWS for information on licensing your pet as a service animal. (415) 979-9550, 645 Harrison Street, Suite 100; www.pawssf.org.

Pets Unlimited: Provides emergency medical services for your animal after 6PM. (415) 563-6700, 2343 Fillmore Street, www.petsunlimited.org.

SF SPCA: (415) 554-3000, 2500 16th Street, www.sfspca.org; (415) 554-3084 for the Free Spay/Neuter Clinic

Animal Care & Control: (415) 554-9405, 1200 15th Street

Free Microchip Clinic: (415) 822-5566, www.sfgov.org/site/acc_index.asp

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Volunteer with VET SOS

Veterinary Street Outreach Services (VET SOS) is currently recruiting veterinarians, vet techs, and other skilled animal handlers who can make a minimum six-month commitment. Download our application form in Adobe PDF format.

For more information, we invite you to contact us at 415-355-2248, or vetsos@sfccc.org.

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