Veterinary Street Outreach Services

who we are

The Veterinary Street Outreach Services Program (Vet SOS) is SFCCC’s unique, award-winning program that provides free veterinary care to the companion animals of unhoused San Franciscans and links their human guardians with health care services.

Based on the idea of a former client of SFCCC’s SOS program, Vet SOS began in 2001 with the help of one volunteer veterinarian who offered to provide monthly pop up clinics to provide a much-requested service to our SOS clients. Since then, the program has grown our capacity thanks to a dedicated team of partners and volunteers, enabling us to help more pets and guardians overcome barriers to care.

Meet the Vet SOS team!

what we do

The Vet SOS van operates twice monthly pop-up veterinary clinics for pet owners who are experiencing homelessness and live in San Francisco. Our services include routine wellness exams, rabies and other vaccination certificates, referrals for free spay/neuter surgery and linkage to human health services.

All visits are by appointment only. For current clients, we provide weekly curbside pickup of free pet food, supplies, and medication refills (by appointment).

Learn more about eligibility and appointments

Our Impact

Each year over 500 companion animals of unhoused San Franciscans receive free veterinary care from Vet SOS. Our clients frequently report that keeping their pets healthy sustains their own physical and mental well-being.

Beyond improving the health of human and pet alike, the free vaccines provided by Vet SOS can allow unhoused pet owners to move into temporary shelter or permanent supportive housing so they don’t have to choose between staying on the streets or relinquishing their pets to move indoors.

Meet our clients!