If you have a pet, you know how its presence in your life provides a depth of love and caring that cannot be replaced. Especially in trying times, your pet gives you unconditional love. But imagine if your beloved pet becomes ill or injured and you cannot afford veterinary care. That is exactly what happens for too many in our community. No animal deserves to suffer.

Pet Helpers Port Townsend exists to provide access to veterinary care for the pets of those who cannot otherwise afford it. A pet can be a lifeline for a person facing homelessness, disability, or crisis, and is often the only living being that loves them. So when we save a pet, we save a person too.

Sometimes a person with limited resources must choose between either buying groceries or getting veterinary care for a sick pet. Admirably, many would choose the veterinary care. But no one should have to make such heartbreaking choices.

Pet Helpers is an all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit organization depending entirely on donations and grants. Since its founding in 2021 it has helped over 200 local pets, and more requests come in almost every day, increasing the caseload exponentially. In addition to care for sick and injured pets, it also provides funds to assist with vaccinations, flea treatments, microchips, nail-trimming and other essentials, and provide transportation to appointments when needed. 

The organization strives to be nonjudgmental regarding how the pet owners came to be in dire situations; they may live in a tent, in subsidized housing, in an RV, on the street, or in communal homes; they may be unemployed or underemployed, or on disability.

There have been many situations that have tugged at the heart-strings. Last year, for instance, Mea the cat was choking, and the veterinarian discovered that she had a twig stuck in her esophagus. It took several hours to remove it; it turned out to be a four-inch twig full of large thorns. In another case, a dog was attacked by a coyote and had deep wounds in his neck that became infected; drains had to be placed for several days, and after removal, he healed nicely. Little Chewbacca had a very large tumor on his neck that required major surgery, and he has now recovered to live his best life. These are just a few of the numerous cases Pet Helpers has taken on. In addition, last year they sponsored a free pet vaccination clinic, and hope to do so again in 2024.

How to access the services: When a pet is sick or needs vaccinations or other care, the essential first step is to call or text Pet Helpers at 360-840-5264 before making a vet appointment. After a brief assessment of qualification for our services, they make arrangements to pay a veterinarian directly for the costs of care.

How to support Pet Helpers:  If you wish to support Pet Helpers, please call 360-840-5264 or email  coordinator@pethelpersporttownsend.org . Or you can donate by PayPal directly at www.pethelpersporttownsend.org. 100% of your donation goes to care of the pets.