This Vet Treats The Pets Of Homeless People In California For Free

By Mayukh Saha / Truth Theory

Sometimes life can be extremely harsh and push you to the edge, but there is always something to hold on to. A lot of people have to live on the streets as they do not have the means. These homeless people struggle to arrange for two square meals a day. Most of us take the good things in life for granted. We fail to count our privileges and help those in need. Did you know there are more than half-million homeless people in the US alone? These people live on the fringes of society and suffer in the hands of poverty. Stewart Kwane is a ray of hope for the homeless people in California. This 49-year-old vet has treated the pets of homeless people there since 2011. 

Image credits: GoFundMe Fundraising

Image credits: GoFundMe Fundraising

When did he decide to embark on this journey? In the year 2007 when the US was hit by the great recession, a lot of people went to Stewart and left their pets at the clinic. All of them had lost their jobs and did not know how to take care of their pets. This heartbreaking situation altered Stewart’s way of looking at life and he decided to provide medicine to the homeless. When he started treating fifteen street animals in a da, he understood this is what he wanted in the long run.

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Image credits: The Street Vet

Stewart has taken it upon himself to find more homeless people who need his aid. In order to do this, he roams around the streets of California almost every day. He has already helped around four hundred stray animals and wishes to do more. The homeless people often seek the company of a pet according to Stewart. He also estimates around 25% of the population are homeless. 

Image credits: The Street Vet

How did he begin? Stewart set up a little table at a soup kitchen to provide for the homeless animals. He gave free vaccines to the furry friends who needed it. With time, Stewart realized that a lot of these animals have grave diseases or conditions that require special treatment. He was able to cure flea problems, arthritis, allergies, or ear infections, but something like a tumor demands greater attention. He could not possibly bear the expensive treatment of so many ill animals. 

Image credits: Dr. Kwane Stewart

He decided to make a GoFundMe page in September and was pleasantly surprised by the response. A hefty fund of $29,000 was raised – way more than Stewart’s expectations. He was even given the title of the GoFundMe Hero of the month of February. Thoroughly overwhelmed at the phenomenal response, Stewart decided to dream big. He wants to connect with like-minded vets who would want to treat homeless animals for free. 

Image credits: Dr. Kwane Stewart

Image credits: Dr. Kwane Stewart

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Image credits: Dr. Kwane Stewart

Image credits: Dr. Kwane Stewart

What is the source of his inspiration? Stewart loves the homeless people’s response when they reunite with their pets after surgery.  Kindness and empathy are the values that make the world a better place to live in – Dr. Kwane shows us how.