Founded in 2015 by Dr. Jon Geller, an emergency veterinarian in Fort Collins, Colorado, The Street Dog Coalition was created from a simple but powerful idea: pets are family, and people experiencing homelessness deserve the support to keep them safe and healthy. What began as a small outreach effort has grown into a national movement with more than 55 volunteer-run teams across the country, providing free veterinary care to pets of those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Their Mission and Services
The Street Dog Coalition hosts free pop-up clinics where pet parents can access exams, vaccines, spay/neuter vouchers, flea/tick and heartworm prevention, microchipping, and more. By meeting both pets and people with dignity and respect, they work to strengthen the human-animal bond while ensuring no one is left behind.
A pet parent seen in Nashville, TN shared their gratitude:
“We were able to get such excellent help. Our animals absolutely love everyone at the clinic, they have always had nothing but compliments for my babies. We finally have an apartment and could not have gotten our vet care for our babies through this time being homeless if it wasn't for Street Dog. People said, pay it forward. That's what I am doing now.”
Stories of Impact
The Street Dog Coalition’s clinics are powered entirely by volunteers—veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and caring community members. Their compassion goes beyond medical care.
One volunteer recalled:
“A young woman walked in. She had a small scraggly dog in her arms. The dog’s name was Sassy, she was living in a van with her mom. Sassy’s mom was wearing a coat, pajama bottoms and slippers. She was not wearing socks. It was January in Colorado. She did not look up when the volunteer approached her. Her head was lowered. Over that hour I saw Sassy’s mom begin to smile, ask questions and relax. A volunteer saw she was not wearing socks, and helped her pick out several pairs that had been donated. Sassy got her shots and a follow up appointment scheduled. Sassy’s mom was beaming when she left, thanking the team. It always happens this way. This transformation from being alienated and unwanted, to being valued and respected is what The Street Dog Coalition does best.”
Another volunteer described why they keep coming back:
“I understood why volunteers returned month after month. In a world that can feel isolating and cold, these clinics create a space where everyone belongs—where both pets and people are treated with compassion, respect, and care.”
10 Years of Compassion
Now celebrating 10 years of service, The Street Dog Coalition continues to expand its reach, forging partnerships with human health providers and community organizations to offer holistic support. Their work shows that by caring for pets, we also care for people, and in turn strengthen entire communities.
4Knines Support
At 4Knines, we are proud to shine a light on nonprofits like The Street Dog Coalition through our monthly spotlight articles. In addition to raising awareness, we support their life-changing work with both product and cash donations. We encourage you to join us in celebrating their mission—every contribution helps strengthen the human-animal bond and ensures more pets and their people get the care they need.
👉 To learn more about The Street Dog Coalition or make a donation, please visit: www.thestreetdogcoalition.org.
