06 Feb Cozy Critters Event Brings Warmth and Free Veterinary Care to Homeless Pets in San Diego

Cozy Critters Event Brings Warmth and Free Veterinary Care to Homeless Pets in San Diego

Each winter, homeless pets in San Diego face more than just uncertainty—they endure cold nights, limited resources, and barriers to essential veterinary care. That’s why Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pets Without Walls program hosts its annual Cozy Critter Visit, an outreach event designed to provide both free veterinary services and life-saving supplies to pets experiencing homelessness alongside their families.

This year marked the third consecutive year that Pets Without Walls partnered with Lucky Duck Foundation, whose generous support helped expand the reach of the event and ensure even more pets stayed warm and healthy during the winter months.

Supporting Homeless Pets and Their Families in Downtown San Diego

On Thursday, January 29th, Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pets Without Walls mobile veterinary unit and Lucky Duck Foundation gathered at Father Joe’s Neil Good Day Center for a Cozy Critter gift drop-off and day of free veterinary care for homeless pets in San Diego.

The team prepared 100 Cozy Critter bags filled with essential pet supplies. Approximately 60–70 bags were handed directly to families attending the event, while the remaining bags were left with Father Joe’s Day Center to continue supporting pets in need throughout the season.

In addition, 100 warm pet blankets were distributed, with extras donated to the Day Center to ensure continued access to comfort and protection from the cold.

Every item distributed was made possible through the generosity of donors, whose support helps remove barriers to care and allows families experiencing homelessness to keep their pets safe, warm, and healthy.

Mobile Veterinary Services for Homeless Pets in San Diego

In addition to supplies, the Pets Without Walls mobile veterinary clinic provided critical medical services on site. The veterinary team cared for 13 pets total, ensuring preventative and wellness care remained accessible to underserved communities.

Services included:

• 2 cat spay surgeries
• 6 full wellness appointments, including exams, flea and tick prevention, and microchipping
• 31 total vaccines were administered
• 13 pets helped

Thank You to Our Donors and Community Partners

The success of the Cozy Critters event would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of our donors and community partners. Every donation—whether funding veterinary care, supplies, or outreach efforts—directly impacts the lives of pets and the people who love them.

Helen Woodward Animal Center is deeply grateful to Lucky Duck Foundation, Father Joe’s Villages, and all those who contributed to making this event a success. Your compassion ensures that pets without homes still receive warmth, dignity, and high-quality care when they need it most.