Front Street Animal Shelter’s Homeless Outreach and Assistance Program (HOAP) is celebrating its first neuter surgery performed inside its new mobile veterinary clinic.
This milestone marks an important step in expanding veterinary care to unhoused pet owners and underserved communities. The fully equipped van now allows the HOAP team to provide on-the-spot exams, vaccinations, treatments and spay and neuter services directly in the field.
“This moment has been years in the making, and it’s hard to put into words how proud and excited we are to see it finally in motion,” said Animal Care Service Manager, Phillip Zimmerman. “The HOAP team is rewriting what community animal welfare can look like.”
Launched in May 2022 with Measure U funding, HOAP was created to support unhoused pet owners in Sacramento. Since then, HOAP has provided thousands of treatments, essential supplies, and housing support—keeping animals healthy, out of the shelter, and with the people who love them.
“While many people in our community are struggling with the high costs of pet ownership and decreased availability of veterinary care, the unsheltered population faces some of the greatest challenges,” Zimmerman said. “HOAP is an innovative program with dedicated staff specifically assigned to provide assistance where it’s needed most.”
The HOAP team is made up of a small but dedicated group of professionals, including a program coordinator, registered veterinary technicians, animal control officers, and support staff. Their services range from in-the-field exams and microchipping to distributing resources and helping owners obtain the vaccination and sterilization records required for housing.
“In a reality where individuals face multiple barriers toward accessing housing, our team is dedicated to supporting people and their pets so that animal-related obstacles are not one of them,” said HOAP Program Coordinator, Jenna Topper.
The HOAP team works closely with case managers, shelter staff, and housing navigators to ensure that pets have updated vaccines, microchips, and proof of sterilization – requirements that can otherwise stand in the way of permanent housing.
“We are excited to envision what our program can look like with greater medical capacity,” Topper said. “The team is deeply committed to continuing to build, learn, and grow the program with guidance from owners, animal-welfare partners, and the many people-serving homeless outreach organizations we are grateful to work alongside.”
Front Street Animal Shelter encourages community members to get involved as volunteers. Those who complete the general volunteer program can explore opportunities to support the HOAP team through the shelter’s volunteer portal.
If you’re a pet owner in need of support, regardless of your housing status, visit Animal Care’s website to explore available resources and services.
Follow the HOAP team’s work and stories at @hoap4petsandpeople on Instagram.
