Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (December 09, 2025) – Winter can be one of the most challenging times of the year, particularly to those who are unhoused. In order to help provide some relief, Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pets Without Walls Program is teaming up with Project Street Vet to bring much needed medical procedures and wellness services to homeless pets in San Diego.
Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pets Without Walls team, along with the Project Street Vet will be on site at Father Joe’s Neil Good Day Center (299 17th Street San Diego, CA 92101) on Thursday, December 11 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m..
MEDIA (video & photos): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OBzmaZTDbztWgZBFKA60RCm6KEKhK5Wp?usp=sharing
Providing animal care, especially when facing tough financial conditions, is a struggle for pet owners. Both Helen Woodward Animal Center and Project Street Vet are organizations that hold strongly to the belief that the bond between animals and their owners should not be broken due to financial hardships. Additionally, both groups are dedicated to making sure that the pets of those struggling with these challenges do not suffer, as a result. In a combined effort, the teams are partnering this Thursday, to provide pet care and wellness. The Center’s Pets Without Walls team will be on site to provide spay or neuter procedures for pets, while the Project Street Vet team will welcome those in need of wellness checks, including examinations and vaccines.
Helen Woodward Animal Center is no stranger to helping impacted residents and pets in need. The Center’s veterinary mobile unit travels weekly to partner sites throughout San Diego County, delivering no-cost veterinary services (including spay/neuter surgeries, wellness exams, lifesaving vaccines, flea/tick medication, and microchips) to those struggling with financial insecurity. In addition, each year during the height of winter, the Center’s Pets Without Walls team hosts the Cozy Critters event at Father Joe’s in East Village to distribute warm clothing, collars & leashes, and other essential items for pets and their owners. The Pets Without Walls program also provides services and care for the pets of military veterans, members of Native American Reservations and more, throughout the year.
“We see and help people facing just about every hardship in life you can imagine,” explains Helen Woodward Animal Center Outreach Specialist Rylie Wilson. “It’s very moving. You can hear the emotion behind our clients’ voices as they express their gratitude. These pets are their top priority. But they are really struggling and doing the best they can.”
Social workers estimate in California alone nearly 200,000 people are experiencing some form of homelessness. Of those, it is estimated every 1 in 4 have pets as companions. Many of these people do not have reliable access to vital healthcare needs and other support, let alone the funds to pay for them. This is where programs like Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pets Without Walls, and Project Street Vet, come in and play a pivotal role.
Project Street Vet is founded on the inspiring work of Dr. Kwane Stewart. Dr. Stewart provides direct veterinarian services by walking city streets of major cities to identify pet families in need of care. Volunteer veterinary teams walk the streets and visit encampments, offering free medical care right where it’s needed most.
“The team at Project Street Vet is excited to be partnering with Helen Woodward Animal Center at Father Joe’s to provide needed veterinary care services to pet families experiencing homelessness,” says Danae Davis, Executive Director at Project Street Vet. “By partnering together, we are amplifying the impact for our unhoused community members.”
Many of these families are at risk of illness and separation due to the lack of essential services for themselves and their pets, including veterinary care, pet-inclusive housing, food, transportation or training. The problem is further compounded by the fact this specific population is often faced with no choice but to live on the street and forgo care for themselves if none is available. Their pet, who many consider their closest family, is often their only source of joy, companionship and purpose.
“We don’t just see the joy from the pet owners either,” explains Center Outreach Specialist Rylie Wilson. “There is so much love and gratitude in the sweet little face of the pets we serve. It is truly an honor to help.”
If you would like to learn more about the Center’s Pets Without Walls program, or how to get involved in other ways, please contact Outreach Specialist Rylie Wilson: (858)756-4117 x339, or visit https://animalcenter.org. Helen Woodward Animal Center is located at 6523 Helen Woodward Way in Rancho Santa Fe.
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: https://animalcenter.org.
