Senior dog owned by a homeless person in Kamloops.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Krys Stewart

Kamloops resident Krys Stewart launched an innovative outreach project last fall to care for the pets of homeless people and she has learned a lot from her experience on the streets.

“I was taken aback by the amount of people experiencing homelessness here,” she said. “I had no idea how many of them have companion animals.”

Initially, Stewart was supplying food and warm supplies but has found herself providing vet care too, and helping homeless pet owners in need. After bringing supplies to pets of people living on the street, in tents and in vans she thinks people and their pets deserve better.

Stewart has experienced addiction in her own past.

“I’ve learned a lot of people that are fortunate to have an income and home don’t have experience interacting with people who are down and out,” she said. “My biggest thing is to offer a conversation, ask how their day is, it really goes a long way.”

Stewart hopes to see more people in Kamloops be more compassionate toward homeless people and pets.

“Addiction can happen to anybody, people have secret addictions and there are functioning addicts who are suffering slowly, it could be anybody, you never know. These people are very kind and not scary monsters, they are going through a horrible battle.”

When working with people who have pets, Stewart does what she can for the owners, often asking them if they have a safe place to stay for the night. The answer is often “no” because many shelters don’t allow pets.

“These people care deeply for their animals and if they have the choice of staying in the shelter they will stay on the street with their pet,” she said. “They put pets before themselves, something I’m glad to see. I care for the people and its fills my heart they care for animals.”

Stewart works on an SPCA social change committee to help agencies and shelters allow more pets overnight, but there are barriers.

“There are things like dog-on-dog aggression but we’re working on a plan to make it more accessible."

Most of the pets she is helping are dogs, and many of those are senior dogs, however, there are far more pet cats than she first predicted.

“These animals are in rougher shape from the streets and walking so often,” she said. “There are dogs who need surgeries, cats that need lumps looked at. They need their nails trimmed and their paws looked at. Cats run a greater risk of getting lost so I’m taking cats to get microchipped.”

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While the battle has been to keep animals warm and fed, it is quickly changing to keeping them cool and hydrated.

Stewart said so far the community has been supportive of her endeavors.

“People love the idea of helping pets but it isn’t their passion project, they’re not willing to get in their car at 2 a.m. to do outreach,” she said. “Some are nervous for me, telling me to be safe, but I’m not worried. Things can happen anywhere, anytime.”

Stewart posts pets and their needs on her social media and those who wish to make a financial donation can do it through her email.

“I do a lot of begging, but everyone is stretched thin. Even five dollars helps.”

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