Homeless Woman Saves Pets with Vets
Donation protected
I was once homeless.
Being on the streets was one of the most challenging experiences that I have ever endured. I lived in a constant mode of survival and state of shock. By the grace of God I survived - and it was giving back to those who are still there that saved me.
Every time I see a homeless person, I see myself in the mirror, so since then I have dedicated my life to the practice of compassion and it came in the form of an organization to help the homeless with their animal companions. I did this before I had found my own home.
Today, I spent my time providing for those who don't have the luxury of going to the kitchen for a snack, taking a shower or a nap - and those whose animal companions give them all the love they can muster, but are suffering greatly.
Animal companions are some of the greatest gifts to people. They are arbitors of unconditional love and no matter how hungry they are, how bad their living condition is, they are founts of hope and friendship. I've never experienced love like I did with my black lab, Tippy, who went through this with me. Others who, for many reasons, are living on the streets, are bolstered by the love of their pets, but they are suffering greatly; they have no voice. These animal companions ask nothing and give everything; some sacrifice their lives for their owners. I've seen so many die needless and horrible deaths - they need outside help to survive.
We've come across so many pets that are not just suffering while trying to provide love, but are mistreated, from dogs we found on chains for so long they were enbedded into their necks to starving animals that needed food and water to take another step. We found vets who provided incredible care for these babies, set broken legs, provided surgeries, treating mange or nursing deeply dehydrated animals back to life.
With the little I had, I began to collect comfort items for the homeless and their animals. I worked furiously to put together resources for those on the street who needed anything from legal to medical help with addiction -- and of course, things that seem simple to most, but are critical to life iteself for those without a home - food and blankets.
Without any business experience, I created a 501(c)3 and created Angel Hanz for the Homeless. Today, we host monthly gatherings in the Los Angeles area to provide emergency medical care for the animals, new collars, leashes, blankets and beds. We have loving hair care professionals who provide cuts and shaves for the homeless. We host a healthy meal and give care packages with water, soap, clothing and books to the homeless.
With my first hand knowledge of life with no home, I wrote a book called The Resource Guide for the Homeless in California & The United States and created a one of a kind online newspaper for the homeless and their animals.
Aside from our monthly gatherings, Angels Hanz does all that we can to keep animals out of the killing shelters, by delivering comfort items and assisting with emergency medical services for animals. We travel all over the county to help animals who needs surgeries, are starving or being beaten. We've found some amazing vets who donate their time and medicines and loving homes for animals whose life was beyond what one could imagine.
We are growing like wildfire and though our hearts and will are mighty, we need more people, products - and money.
Recently, we have put together a passionate group of volunteer advisors who are helping us to solidfy and grow this concept into enough to really make a much bigger and permanent contribution for the 9000+ homeless in the county of Los Angeles.
A few facts:
Pet companions of the homeless have a very high probability of ending up in kill shelters.
According the Los Angeles Times in May 2015, “The homeless population jumped 12% in the last two years in both the city and county of Los Angeles, driven by soaring rents, low wages and stubbornly high unemployment. In a report by the Los Angeles Homeless
Services Authority, the number of tents, makeshift encampments and vehicles occupied by homeless people soared 85%, to 9,535. Los Angeles has the nation's largest concentration of homeless veterans.”
According to the Homeless Services Authority Report, in the US, there are more than 44,000 homeless people that have been counted, an increase from 39,000 in 2013.
We need help to keep growing; would you be part of this incredible act of love?
Donations can be made at www.angelhanzla.blogspot.com. Volunteers are also needed and asked to email to apply.
With gratitude,
Karen Hamza, Founder, Angel Hanz for the Homeless
Being on the streets was one of the most challenging experiences that I have ever endured. I lived in a constant mode of survival and state of shock. By the grace of God I survived - and it was giving back to those who are still there that saved me.
Every time I see a homeless person, I see myself in the mirror, so since then I have dedicated my life to the practice of compassion and it came in the form of an organization to help the homeless with their animal companions. I did this before I had found my own home.
Today, I spent my time providing for those who don't have the luxury of going to the kitchen for a snack, taking a shower or a nap - and those whose animal companions give them all the love they can muster, but are suffering greatly.
Animal companions are some of the greatest gifts to people. They are arbitors of unconditional love and no matter how hungry they are, how bad their living condition is, they are founts of hope and friendship. I've never experienced love like I did with my black lab, Tippy, who went through this with me. Others who, for many reasons, are living on the streets, are bolstered by the love of their pets, but they are suffering greatly; they have no voice. These animal companions ask nothing and give everything; some sacrifice their lives for their owners. I've seen so many die needless and horrible deaths - they need outside help to survive.
We've come across so many pets that are not just suffering while trying to provide love, but are mistreated, from dogs we found on chains for so long they were enbedded into their necks to starving animals that needed food and water to take another step. We found vets who provided incredible care for these babies, set broken legs, provided surgeries, treating mange or nursing deeply dehydrated animals back to life.
With the little I had, I began to collect comfort items for the homeless and their animals. I worked furiously to put together resources for those on the street who needed anything from legal to medical help with addiction -- and of course, things that seem simple to most, but are critical to life iteself for those without a home - food and blankets.
Without any business experience, I created a 501(c)3 and created Angel Hanz for the Homeless. Today, we host monthly gatherings in the Los Angeles area to provide emergency medical care for the animals, new collars, leashes, blankets and beds. We have loving hair care professionals who provide cuts and shaves for the homeless. We host a healthy meal and give care packages with water, soap, clothing and books to the homeless.
With my first hand knowledge of life with no home, I wrote a book called The Resource Guide for the Homeless in California & The United States and created a one of a kind online newspaper for the homeless and their animals.
Aside from our monthly gatherings, Angels Hanz does all that we can to keep animals out of the killing shelters, by delivering comfort items and assisting with emergency medical services for animals. We travel all over the county to help animals who needs surgeries, are starving or being beaten. We've found some amazing vets who donate their time and medicines and loving homes for animals whose life was beyond what one could imagine.
We are growing like wildfire and though our hearts and will are mighty, we need more people, products - and money.
Recently, we have put together a passionate group of volunteer advisors who are helping us to solidfy and grow this concept into enough to really make a much bigger and permanent contribution for the 9000+ homeless in the county of Los Angeles.
A few facts:
Pet companions of the homeless have a very high probability of ending up in kill shelters.
According the Los Angeles Times in May 2015, “The homeless population jumped 12% in the last two years in both the city and county of Los Angeles, driven by soaring rents, low wages and stubbornly high unemployment. In a report by the Los Angeles Homeless
Services Authority, the number of tents, makeshift encampments and vehicles occupied by homeless people soared 85%, to 9,535. Los Angeles has the nation's largest concentration of homeless veterans.”
According to the Homeless Services Authority Report, in the US, there are more than 44,000 homeless people that have been counted, an increase from 39,000 in 2013.
We need help to keep growing; would you be part of this incredible act of love?
Donations can be made at www.angelhanzla.blogspot.com. Volunteers are also needed and asked to email to apply.
With gratitude,
Karen Hamza, Founder, Angel Hanz for the Homeless
Organizer and beneficiary
Alyson Dutch
Organizer
Malibu, CA
Karen Hamza
Beneficiary
