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Meet the vet who‘s been giving free medical care to pets of the homeless for almost a decade

6 min read

Good Stuff
Source: Facebook/Dr.KwaneStewart

Dr. Kwane Stewart has been caring for pets belonging to the un-domiciled people of California since 2011, and mostly at his own expense.

The street vet who gives free medical care to companions of the homeless

A day volunteering at a soup kitchen would bring Dr. Kwane Stewart face-to-face with his life’s calling. What started out an exercise in teaching his young son the importance of giving back and helping others, became the start of a decade-long mission to provide free healthcare to the pets of homeless people on the streets of California. Today, the 49-year-old veterinarian spends his free time driving around the state in search of homeless people with animals who might be in need of medical attention. His role as "The Street Vet" has taught him a valuable lesson: these animals offer more than companionship to their owners. They also give them love, hope, and security.

“I’ve seen homeless people feed their pet before they feed themselves. I’ve seen them give their last dollar to care for their pet,” he said. “They sustain each other and that is the power of pet companionship.”
While some say that homeless people shouldn’t own pets, Dr. Kwane believes the opposite: “I’ve seen homeless people feed their pet before they feed themselves. I’ve seen them give their last dollar to care for their pet,” he said. “They sustain each other and that is the power of pet companionship.” Source: Gofundme/TheStreetVet

Animals offer their owners “love, hope, and security”

Dr. Stewart was interviewed by GoFundMe, and he explained that pets were more than companionship to the people having to surrender them. They also “offered love, hope, and security.”

“About 25% of our homeless population own a pet, and I knew that if I set up a table at a soup kitchen I could help a small group of animals,” he explained. “So that’s what I did. I called over anyone who was holding their pet and told them I’d take a look and vaccinate or treat their pet if I could.”

On that first day at the soup kitchen, he treated fifteen pets. Seeing the need, he packed his bags with supplies and started making a regular habit of walking around underpasses and other encampments, checking in to see if anyone needed help with their animals. He was able to treat a number of ailments, from fleas to ingrown toenails, on the spot. But at times the need was greater. He ended up raising ten thousand dollars to help with pets that needed more serious care, including surgeries at his clinic.

Check out the GoFundMe campaign for more photos, information, and to donate. Follow The Street Vet on Instagram and Facebook 

Source: Upworthy 

Sometimes, he also strolls around Sacramento and San Francisco. But wherever he goes, his mission remains the same – to provide free veterinary care to homeless people’s pets.
Dr. Kwane Stewart, 49, spends his free time wandering in the impoverished areas of his hometown of San Diego and Los Angeles. Sometimes, he also strolls around Sacramento and San Francisco. But wherever he goes, his mission remains the same – to provide free veterinary care to homeless people’s pets. Source: GoFundMe/TheStreetVet
Growing up in New Mexico, he spent his childhood trying to rescue stray animals and dreaming of beaches. This dream eventually brought him to California where he practiced veterinary medicine and ran an animal hospital before becoming the county veterinarian for Stanislaus County in Modesto, California. However, when the Great Recession hit the US in 2007, Stewart realised that he needed to do a lot more.
Stewart had been helping ill-fated animals long before he became “The Street Vet.” Growing up in New Mexico, he spent his childhood trying to rescue stray animals and dreaming of beaches. This dream eventually brought him to California where he practiced veterinary medicine and ran an animal hospital before becoming the county veterinarian for Stanislaus County in Modesto, California. However, when the Great Recession hit the US in 2007, Stewart realised that he needed to do a lot more. Source: GoFundMe/TheStreetVet
He describes it as a
Stewart hopes to challenge preconceived notions of what homeless people are like through a TV show, in which he stars, called “The Street Vet.” He describes it as a “passion project” that he created with his brother. So far, it’s shown in smaller markets in Eastern Europe, Canada and China. While people sometimes assume Stewart is rich because he’s in a show and has had high-profile jobs, such as chief veterinary officer of the nonprofit American Humane, he’s still paying off his student loans from veterinary school. Source: Facebook/Dr.KwaneStewart
However, when he runs into animals with severe issues such as tooth decay or illnesses that need treatment at a veterinary hospital, he turns to GoFundMe to cover their surgeries and invasive procedures. Over the course of the past nine years, he has treated about 400 animals with allergies, skin and ear infections, flea infestations, bad teeth, and even arthritis. He has also come to realise that almost everything he thought he knew about homelessness wasn't true.
Stewart pays out of his own pocket for the treatment of most of the pets he encounters. However, when he runs into animals with severe issues such as tooth decay or illnesses that need treatment at a veterinary hospital, he turns to GoFundMe to cover their surgeries and invasive procedures. Over the course of the past nine years, he has treated about 400 animals with allergies, skin and ear infections, flea infestations, bad teeth, and even arthritis. He has also come to realise that almost everything he thought he knew about homelessness wasn’t true. Source: GoFundMe/TheStreetVet
a reason not to give in to despair or fall deeper into drug or alcohol addiction, says Dr. Stewart.
Pets can provide homeless women with a sense of protection and security, and offer hope to their companions — a reason not to give in to despair or fall deeper into drug or alcohol addiction, says Dr. Stewart. Source: GoFundMe/TheStreetVet
But sometimes a pet needs surgery to remove a tumor or rotting teeth. In the past, he would pay for it out of his own pocket; he is grateful to have found reduced-price care at Beverly Oaks Animal Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Laurie Leach, a veterinarian at the practice, has even performed some surgeries pro bono.
Out on the streets, the most common afflictions Stewart sees are flea infestations, ear infections and mild arthritis. But sometimes a pet needs surgery to remove a tumor or rotting teeth. In the past, he would pay for it out of his own pocket; he is grateful to have found reduced-price care at Beverly Oaks Animal Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Laurie Leach, a veterinarian at the practice, has even performed some surgeries pro bono. Source: GoFundMe/TheStreetVet
If he sees a homeless person with a pet while he's driving, he has a variety of medicines and treatments to hand.
Stewart keeps a bag stocked with medical supplies in his car at all times If he sees a homeless person with a pet while he’s driving, he has a variety of medicines and treatments to hand. Source: GoFundMe/TheStreetVet
“But I realised that something as simple as losing your job can lead to bad credit — and then it can be difficult to get an apartment… You would be amazed at how these negative moments can snowball. I’ve looked at these people and thought, ‘I could be you. I could end up where you are.'”
“I was guilty of some of the judgments about homeless people before doing this work,” said Stewart. “But I realised that something as simple as losing your job can lead to bad credit — and then it can be difficult to get an apartment… You would be amazed at how these negative moments can snowball. I’ve looked at these people and thought, ‘I could be you. I could end up where you are.’” Source: Facebook/Dr.KwaneStewart
Dr. Kwane: The Street Vet The Street Vet charts the humanitarian exploits of Kwane Stewart, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. The series follows Dr.Kwane's journey to help the pets and people who need it the most. Traveling the city streets Dr. Kwane and his assistant Genesis administer basic care and in some cases life saving aid to some of society's most vulnerable. Amazing stories of hope, struggle and inspiration are revealed. Source: YouTube/GoFundMe/TheStreetVet
Make an Impact

The Street Vet GoFundMe Campaign

“Want to join me in making a difference? I'm Dr. Kwane Stewart, I've been a veterinarian for over 20+ years and over the past few years I've been passionately motivated to impact the lives of our homeless pets and people. When I had spare time or if I happened to be driving home and saw a pet and owner in need, I would offer some assistance. A quick check up, maybe some medication or food...it wasn't a lot but sometimes giving a little can make all the difference.”