LOS ANGELES – Amanda Howland and her team at ElleVet are on a mission to help as many people and pets as possible.
What You Need To Know
- ElleVet is offering free veterinary care
- The efforts are part of a two-month tour
- Stopping in some of the most underserved communities
- ElleVan filled with all the supplies and materials they need
"We had a line since we got here this morning," said Howland, who co-founded the company.
ElleVet is offering free veterinary care and services to those on Skid Row who need it most.
"People who are experiencing homelessness either due to COVID or who were already in that situation, have even less resources and that trickles down to the pets," Howland said.
The efforts are part of a two-month tour from San Diego to San Francisco, stopping in some of the most underserved communities.
"People said, 'Oh you couldn’t possibly pull off a project like that in a month,' and we said, well, this is when people need us," Howland said.
"I’ve had him two and a half months," said Rick Smith, who showed up with his dog, Milo. "He’s a good dog, real good dog. He was due his boosters last month, and the clinic was shut down, so I heard they were out here, so that’s what I did."
Smith says they de-wormed him and gave him some stuff for pain, fleas, and ticks as well as some treats. But it wasn’t just dogs. One woman even showed up with a box of cats.
Howland showed off the ElleVan, which is the motorcoach that has become her team's home away from home during this campaign.
"We had to learn to drive it and also learn about living in an RV," she said.
It is filled with all the supplies and materials they need, including ElleVet’s own pet products that contain CBD.
"They have joint pain or stiffness and we help with that, but also stress is a huge problem with a lot of dogs, separation issues, maybe noise," Howland said.
If the team can’t help, they will refer pets to a low cost or free clinic that might be available. Howland says while doing this kind of work, she’s truly seen the strength of the human-animal bond.
"It doesn’t matter who you are, how much you have for resources, $5 or $5 million, it doesn’t make any difference," Howland said. "Everyone loves their pets."
ElleVet will be in town through Friday, May 29. To find out their location, check out their Facebook, Instagram, or call (844) 695-4596.