Bideawee, a metropolitan New York and Long Island-based animal welfare and adoption organization, teamed up with Goldman Sachs to provide veterinary care to the pets of homeless New Yorkers. Bideawee – who has a location in Westhampton – has been one of the leading pet welfare organizations in the area for the past 113 years and this summer they announced their union with the American multinational banking firm through the Community TeamWorks program. The collaboration serves as an effort to bring aid to not only the homeless, but their beloved pets too.
It has been deduced that 5 to 10 percent of New York’s homeless population are pet owners, yet New York’s homeless shelters do not permit pets to enter the facilities. Choosing companionship over a shelter, the homeless are forced to live on the streets, which can lead to a variety of concerns in regards to their well-being – not only for the owner, but for their pet as well. “For many homeless, they choose to live on the streets with their animals as they do not want to be separated from them and this, of course, poses a number of veterinary health challenges,” explained Jennifer Goodwin, Vice President for Development, Bideawee.
Thankfully, Goldman Sachs and Bideawee recognize the need for assistance. “Goldman Sachs is providing volunteers for this event as well as monies for the exams and pet supplies,” noted Goodwin. “We at Bideawee are grateful that Goldman Sachs is so committed to the welfare and health of homeless pets and their owners.”
On Friday, August 26th, Bideawee’s on-staff veterinarian, Dr. Shiann Simms, conducted feline and canine health exams and volunteers distributed animal care packages to those in need from Bideawee’s mobile adoption van at The Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen.
For more information visit www.bideawee.org.