Dr. Anne Scholl-Mealey: Helping the Homeless and Their Pets
The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates Florida’s homeless population is about 25,000 to 65,000. 
About half of the nation’s homeless are unsheltered, and Feeding Pets of the Homeless estimates up to 24 percent of homeless people keep pets. That means as many as 162,000 pets are on the streets with their owners — about 68,000 of which are unsheltered. 
These homeless people are not only trying to take care of themselves, they are also trying to provide for the pets they love.
Dr. Anne Scholl-Mealey, a companion-animal practice owner and mother of two, has been volunteering her time and skills to care for pets of the homeless around greater Orlando for the last five years. 
According to Dr. Scholl-Mealey: “When you go out and you meet these people, they really are so grateful. I wish all my paying clients would show a little bit of thankfulness,” she says. “They really are grateful someone is coming out and helping them. They almost take better care of their pets than they do themselves.”
Maybe those of us who have so much to be thankful for could offer a simple prayer of gratitude and love to this wonderful woman.
July 25th, 2009 8:52 pm
I wish I could be more involved with helping the homeless/feral cat issues. Or with rescue. Even to foster cats. Just … to do *more*.
Although I did donate a portion of the cost of my new RoadID to the ASPCA. I suppose that\’s a little bit more, at least.
July 25th, 2009 9:03 pm
Yes, I wish I could help more too. There are so many in need, animals and people.
November 16th, 2009 3:53 pm
Well, all the fairly small rodents are decent, such as hamsters, gerbils, and rats. They won’t smell depending on the bedding you use as well. If you use odor control it won’t smell, for I am using it now and my hamster doesn’t bother anyone in the house
December 2nd, 2009 3:31 am