SACRAMENTO, Calif. — For many people, their cat or dog is more than just a pet, they’re a source of great support, like Emma Cookson’s cat, Detective Olivia.

“She means the world to me," Cookson said. "She is just my pal. Just my one of my best friends.”

What You Need To Know

  • A new mobile vet in the Sacramento area called PAWS is servicing homeless people and those in low-income housing and is funded by Sacramento County 

  • The mobile clinic is the first-of-its-kind in the state fully funded by a county through a federal grant, meaning all services are free

  • Cynthia Metcalf runs and is the lead veterinarian for the program

  • The mobile clinic operates multiple times a week at various locations which the county updates on an online calendar

Cookson says she stays in low-income housing and has previously been home insecure.

Detective Olivia, Cookson said, had been visibly irritated. That's why she’s so glad to have found the new mobile vet, PAWS, which is funded by Sacramento County. It services homeless people and those in low-income housing.

“I don’t have the financial resources right now to give her the care that she needs, and hopefully later I will be,” she said.

The mobile clinic is the first of its kind in the state, fully funded by a county through a federal grant, meaning all services are free.

Cynthia Metcalf runs and is the lead veterinarian for the program. She said having access to an animal clinic is often geographically hard for homeless people and so the trailer moves around to meet them where they are.

One such location is the HOPE cooperative in the Arden area, which Cookson said was great for her because it was close enough to where she stays.

“We do also go out directly to encampments," Metcalf said, "where people might not want to leave what possessions they do have in order to get care for their animals.”

The mobile clinic operates multiple times a week at various locations which the county updates on an online calendar.

Metcalf said a big part of their service is spaying and neutering pets.

“A lot of the shelters that are out there, they do require that the animals are spayed and neutered," she said. "And so, folks will have a hard time getting in.”

In addition, all pet are treated for ear mites. Cookson said her housing facility does not require Detective Olivia to be spayed but is happy to accept the offer.

“I'll be back. I also have to get her spayed," Cookson said. "So, I'll be back for that as well. So, it's almost too good to be true.”

A priceless service, Cookson said, for a family member who provides her with so much support.