Another trip to Central Iowa Shelter...

... Was another eye-opening experience. Here are the good news.

Central Iowa Shelter is now doing outreach for Steph's Angels, connecting homeless pet parents with vets to get the care they deserve.

And here is the story of a homeless woman with mental disabilities i was honored to meet there.

April and her little Chihuahua, Heaven, can't get the food they need, have to save about a year to get the puppy the basic vet care or have to go without. The puppy is her PTSD Service dog BUT she can not afford to get him certified and registered, and getting the vest. This, in fact, makes it impossible to get INTO many shelters. Her and i talked for quite some time about her life, her kids, her financial situation. It was just heart-breaking. I asked her to to write a little article about herself for Steph's Angels.

I left me close to tears that this is something that actually happens in the nation with most millionaires and billionaires, in the country that is among the richest on earth. THERE IS NO NEED FOR SUFFERING. I am just starting, yet, it ALREADY feels overwhelming. Where do i start? Where do i get more funding to help? I feel so fortunate to have a job where i can easily take money and put it into Steph's Angels account every week. I feel so fortunate that i knew Steph and Angel. Those two did change my life. I want to help as many people like April as possible. but i can't do it alone.

Another issue, i found, is needed in that community. Well... i guess we are down to the 4 most important items hot homeless pet parents:

- Pet Food,

- Vet Coverage,

- Leashes and Muzzles and

- help with Service Dog Certification and Registration.