Humane Society in Vancouver helps pets of low-income people, those experiencing homelessness

While most Clark County residents were turning on their coffee pots or taking their dogs for their morning walk, Laura Jean Skiles trailed through the nearly silent Humane Society for Southwest Washington building one Tuesday — omit the occasional bark or meow.

Skiles, the community solutions manager for the animal nonprofit, stopped at the desk in the east wing of the building. Before she knew it, the stillness was swallowed by more than a dozen cats and their owners for the Humane Society’s Spay and Save program, which offers affordable spay and neuter surgeries.

Homelessness is on the rise in Clark County, and community organizations are doing their part to alleviate the crisis and provide much needed resources to the people who are being impacted.

But one subgroup of homelessness that sometimes gets overlooked has four legs and a tail. That’s where the Humane Society for Southwest Washington comes in. The nonprofit aims to keep people and their pets together through multiple programs and services aimed to help lower income residents or those experiencing housing instability.

Studies have shown that pets help their owners, especially those experiencing homelessness fight isolation, and improve mental health. There is also definitive research that domesticated animals improve communities through social capital.

“If making our communities healthier and happier is by having pets in them, we should be supporting that across the board — regardless of where someone lives or how much money they make,” Skiles said.

Services available

The organization hosts Spay and Save every Tuesday and Wednesday, a minimal cost service for low-income people. For a person experiencing homelessness, Skiles said they are eligible for free-of-charge care.

For $50, people who identify as low-income can have their animals spayed or neutered. Residents can also add on vaccines or microchips for an added-on fee. For additional information about how to sign up your pet, visit https://southwesthumane.org/services/spay-and-neuter-services/.

Families in need can receive temporary assistance with pet food through the nonprofit’s CHOW program. The initiative, which is open to any individual needing help, is supported by donations from the local community.

Families in Clark County can receive emergency boarding for their animals through the Humane Society’s Safe Haven program. The program assists families temporarily struggling or forced into displacement due to domestic violence, acute medical needs or other pressing circumstances prohibiting them from caring for their pets.

Space is limited in the Safe Haven boarding program.

Any resident can apply for a slice of the Veterinary Assistance Fund. Those selected can receive up to $750 for nonpreventive care for their animal, said Skiles.

For additional information about the services the Humane Society for Southwest Washington offers, contact the Community Solutions Team at receiving@southwesthumane.org or 360-213-2621.