In 2011, Dr. Kwane Stewart was working at an overwhelmed municipal animal shelter in California. Depressed about the animals he couldn’t save, he contemplated quitting his profession.
Then one morning he stopped for coffee at a 7-Eleven and met a man who lived on the streets with his dog. Stewart provided medication to treat the dog’s flea dermatitis—and realized how that small act of kindness greatly improved both the dog’s and the owner’s lives.
The experience renewed his faith in himself and his work. It also started him on a journey that led to Project Street Vet, a nonprofit he co-founded to bring free veterinary care and supplies to homeless people and their pets.
In this edited interview, conducted after Stewart delivered his keynote at our Animal Care Expo and which originally aired on our Humane Voices podcast, Dr. Stewart talks about Project Street Vet.
How did your 7-Eleven encounter lead you to co-found Project Street Vet?
It changed my whole perspective on treating pets who otherwise would maybe never get care. It never really dawned on me until that moment how easy and how inexpensive it was to pull an animal out of suffering. It was a few minutes of my time, a basic flea treatment, and it changed that dog’s life and the owner’s life. And it changed my life, because I realized how impactful this is.
There are a lot of misconceptions about unhoused people who have pets. Is that something you encounter when you talk to people about Project Street Vet?
I probably had some of those same misconceptions until I really got to know the people. They’re struggling, a lot of them economically, which leads them to the streets. Then they sometimes turn to substance [abuse] to help cope. Some of them develop depression or anxiety.
It never really dawned on me until that moment how easy and how inexpensive it was to pull an animal out of suffering.
Dr. Kwane Stewart
But their relationship with their pets is very similar to all of ours.
I would even say that in most cases it’s better. Because they spend just about every hour of every day with their pet.
Do you have any advice for people who want to do similar work?
Homelessness is obviously a huge issue in our country. There are some days I go home and it’s overwhelming to me, and I just have to tell myself, “One dog at a time.” And I get up, and I just try to find one more dog I can help.
If you want to help the impoverished or the unhoused people...the first step is not to ignore them. A lot of times, people just want to receive a nice gesture, acknowledging that they’re not invisible.
If you want to help their pets, talk to your own veterinarian and ask them, “Hey, would you sponsor from time to time one unhoused pet pro bono?” I will tell you that the reward to the morale of the staff and those who help this dog or cat who may not receive treatment if it wasn’t for them, it’s immense.
What’s next on the horizon for you?
I’m going to keep expanding the Project Street Vet program. We’re in seven cities now. I have this dream that if I can push my way into the 15 largest cities in the country, I will cover about 75% of our unhoused population and their pets.
For the full interview with Dr. Kwane Stewart, check out the Humane Voices episode called “Street veterinarian named CNN’s Hero of the Year.“ Listen Now
Chance encounters
In Los Angeles, the HSUS Pets for Life program creates life-changing impact for people and pets
By Robert Sotelo
Ten years ago, I was doing outreach in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, when I met Billy. He was pushing a shopping cart carrying his dog, Copperhead, down the street. I approached and told him what a beautiful dog he had.
“She’s my savior,” he said. “She’s been there for me through my struggles.”
I learned that Billy ended up unhoused after suffering a back injury at his job. After multiple surgeries and suffering a stroke, he went on disability, but the funds ran out. He lost everything.
I offered him food, flea medication and toys for Copperhead and told him to contact me anytime. Billy later called to say that Copperhead had been attacked by a coyote and was in bad shape. Fortunately, our veterinary partner was able to do the emergency surgery that saved the dog’s life.
Billy brought Copperhead to our Pets for Life office many times. He loved a good conversation and was deeply appreciative of the help we provided his dog.
A few years back, I lost touch with Billy. Then in 2023, he and Copperhead walked into our office. Billy told me that he had won a case against the company where he was injured and invested the money. He was finally back on his feet.
He just wanted to drop by and say thank you. He said the support the Pets for Life team gave him and Copperhead helped him get through his struggles.
Over the 12 years I’ve worked for Pets for Life, I’ve seen the impact our program has on the lives of people and pets—whether it’s by providing supplies or veterinary care for a beloved pet or by simply serving as a sympathetic ear for people experiencing hard times.
The conversations have impacted me, too, and I see my life differently now. I don’t take what I have for granted and have gratitude. Every day, I see that gratitude reflected back at me from the community we serve.
Read the full story of Robert, Billy and Copperhead. Learn More
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