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This Man Is A Veterinarian Who Walks Around California And Treats Homeless People’s Animals For Free
470.9K

This Man Is A Veterinarian Who Walks Around California And Treats Homeless People’s Animals For Free

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Life in modern society poses a very real challenge for some of us. It’s no secret that poverty has pushed a staggering amount of people onto the streets in the past decade. The scope of this problem is reflected well in numbers—over half a million people were officially counted as homeless in the US. The state of California has been hit the hardest. Its homeless people population totaled up to 151,278 people last year.

Luckily, there are still some good Samaritans who bring back a glimmer of hope when it comes to the invisible lives of those suffering outside the door. Stewart Kwane, a street veterinarian, has been on a mission to help the adorable pets of homeless Californians since 2011.

After the Great Recession hit the US in 2007, Stewart decided it was time to help those in need. “There was something about helping others that I loved,” said the 49-year-old man, who pays for the basic food and veterinary care costs out of his pocket. Scroll down for the full story about the inspirational vet below.

More info: Facebook | GoFundMe

RELATED:

    Dr. Stewart Kwane is on a mission to help the homeless and their pets left on the outskirts of society

    Image credits: The Street Vet

    Image credits: GoFundMe Fundraising

    Stewart always carries a medical bag with him so he can stop to help whenever he spots someone in need

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    Image credits: GoFundMe Fundraising

    Here, the Street Vet is pictured helping a man with colon cancer and his dog named Crazy Girl

    Image credits: The Street Vet

    Image credits: Dr. Kwane Stewart

    Dr. Kwane now runs a GoFundMe page that aims to raise donations to cover all the animal care and pricey surgeries his four-legged patients need. “The cost of minor treatments like ear infections, flea treatment, or vaccines can be around $100, whereas more serious cases of pet care like a tumor removal or dental with extractions can be $1,500.” Saving a little buddy can really add up to quite a big sum of money.

    This is exactly a case for a cute pet named Dinker and his homeless person Walter “who have a connection like no other.” Unfortunately, “Dinker has a very rare condition that requires a surgery from a specialist.” The doctor is currently working on trying to make that happen, but he is aware that it’s an extremely expensive procedure with extensive after care in an animal hospital.

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    Image credits: Dr. Kwane Stewart

    Image credits: The Street Vet

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    “I’ve experienced the most genuine stories of love, compassion, struggle, and hope,” said the man about his job

    Image credits: Dr. Kwane Stewart

    Image credits: Dr. Kwane Stewart

    But Kwane is full of hope. In a recent update on his GoFundMe page, he expressed his gratitude: “I am blown away by your generosity!” As a result, he has now set a higher goal and dreams of bringing more vets into the streets to help him spread goodwill to more suffering pets out there.

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    The veterinarian treats animal allergies, skin and ear infections, flea infestations, bad teeth, and even arthritis

    Image credits: drkwane

    Image credits: drkwane

    Image credits: drkwane

    Giving a little can make all the difference,” writes the doctor on his GoFundMe page

    Image credits: GoFundMe Fundraising

    The man is sharing his journey on a TV series called “The Street Vet”

    This is what people had to say about the work of this good Samaritan

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    Liucija Adomaite

    Liucija Adomaite

    Writer, Community member

    Read more »

    Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

    Read less »
    Liucija Adomaite

    Liucija Adomaite

    Writer, Community member

    Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

    Read less »

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Mantas Kačerauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

    What do you think ?
    Add photo comments
    POST
    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So on one side there's 1 vet with a limited budget helping animals for free, on the other side there's Peta, wasting money on ridicoulous ads and killing animals at a rate of 6 dogs, cats, and other pets per day.

    SirPatTheCat
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Ok that person who said most vets are in it for the money, Alicia Marie Gonsalves, F**K YOU. Most veterinarians are definitely not "in it for the money" as they would not have done years of school, drowning in debt if they didn't care about animals. It takes years to get up to a good pay, and becoming a vet would definitely not be the first choice for someone just trying to make tons of money. Vets are some of the hardest working people and they spent countless hours and years of grueling, difficult work to be able to help your pets. Veterinarians have some of the highest rated of suicide because of the pressure, extreme workload, and the fact that they are not able to save every animal they come across. Mentally and physically it is much too hard a job for people who don't care about animals and just want money. Vets suffer every time they make a mistake, can't fix something that happened, and put down a pet, they just can't show it. If a vet cried everyone something went wrong and let their feelings get the best of them they wouldn't be able to do their job properly. Also, they don't control the prices of medicine, the labor costs of surgery, or the price of lab tests. Those are just naturally expensive, and if you love your pet and respect your vet, you'll be understanding. It makes me SICK how many ignorant people say that vets are in it for the money just because they think that basic care for their pet is too expensive. If you can't afford vet bills, don't get a pet in the first place, and definitely do t blame the vet. Everyone else, remember this and be sure to be extra kind to your vet next time you see them.

    Spikey Bunny
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes! When my rescued Main C**n had a stroke no less than 5 nurses plus the Vet helped to treat him for several hours!!!! It was like being in a regular people hospital emergency room situation! They all loved Mason, and everyone did absolutely everything they could to help him!!! Unfortunately he was to far gone from the series of strokes he suffered and had to be put to sleep a couple days later. (very very long story) He was only 7. Trust me when I say they all tried everything they could, were completely professional. In Texas, only charged me $300. We miss him every day. They all did their absolute best.

    Load More Replies...
    -AestheticDevil-
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m so grateful for this man. Thank you for taking care of the animals of the world.

    MagicalUnicorn
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this gives me hope since i judge people based on how kind they are to animals, they deserve all the love in the world <3

    Becky Bailey-Dawes
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is easy to appreciate what he does for the love of the animals, but it says even more about his love for humanity, even--and especially--for the worst off of us--the humans that most people try to avoid. When you have lost virtually everything, that animal by your side comes to mean more than even the most pet-loving of us can understand; but this amazing man gets it. I wish him everything he wants in life and has my undying respect for doing what I cannot.

    Carol Roeder
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    God bless you Sir for your kindness and generosity to those homeless people and their animals. You are reatop notch!

    deanna woods
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We need more people like this in the world that are willing to help the less fortunate out of the goodness of their hearts. Helping others is not about social media likes and stuff like that, it's about being a decent human being.

    manowce
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it is touching how those people often don't have enough themselves, but their animals have everything. they choose to feed them, and not themselves. this is amazing. and really sad that so many people don't have homes...

    Peter
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I understand homelessness is an epidemic and that we cannot know the reasons for someone being homeless and it is not right to pass judgment. And, I understand that a pet may be a significant positive in the life of someone struggling on the streets. But, I have always felt frustrated when I see homeless people with pets because my thought process is this: if you are struggling to take care of your own needs, how are you taking care of your pet's needs? You do not often see homeless adults with homeless children because protective services will step in and assure that the children receive a certain level of care. So, why is the same empathy not given to pets? Why should a pet suffer because their owner can not afford to take care of them? To me, the more responsible and loving choice is to give the pet to someone who can take care of it properly.

    Sterrinatu
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Keep in mind those pets were not purchased. They were homeless as well. So why can't they be homeless together? My mother was homeless, she had a dog she found on the streets. It was her protector. They were companions and they took care of each other.

    Load More Replies...
    Fátima Melo
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope he receives in double of what he gives. Just wonderful 🤗

    mario.b
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is there another way to fund him, I am not on Facebook, if anybody know another way please tell me

    djinnjeannie
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Shout out for anyone in Melbourne Pets of The Homeless are a great local charity that’s run on almost entirely on volunteers (they have just recently hired a part time staff member to manage their pet food bank). You should throw some money at them if you smiled at this post.

    Melanie Celliers
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He is a beautiful man with a beautiful soul. The world needs more people like him.

    sharron lynn parsons
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    An angel indeed, I live in Canada, and my city vets, charge a fortune, therefore there are many pets, that are not able to have basic care, we do not have dogs loose on the streets, but unfortunately there are many cats, and naturally that sums up to many unwanted kittens, however, the past few years ,there have been some small groups, that began rescuing cats, lately the word is there are fewer cats to be rescued, to my knowledge, there is not an angel vet, in my city, there is a few women who started to rescue cats or kittens, in the beginning they used their own money to have vet checks, and spay, neuter and vaccinations, they wanted only to find homes for them, therefore, they asked only to pay what you can afford, until donations and fundraising to help !!!

    Christina Uhlir
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are shelter which rescue pets and if they don't get adopted they are euthanized, thousands of them.

    Load More Replies...
    Luiza Kobelus
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    when I read news like this I feel that there is still hope in humanity:)

    Lianna Valdez
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He is cute. But what he does with fur babies makes him even hotter.

    why?
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    i do not like this dislike button😑

    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So on one side there's 1 vet with a limited budget helping animals for free, on the other side there's Peta, wasting money on ridicoulous ads and killing animals at a rate of 6 dogs, cats, and other pets per day.

    SirPatTheCat
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Ok that person who said most vets are in it for the money, Alicia Marie Gonsalves, F**K YOU. Most veterinarians are definitely not "in it for the money" as they would not have done years of school, drowning in debt if they didn't care about animals. It takes years to get up to a good pay, and becoming a vet would definitely not be the first choice for someone just trying to make tons of money. Vets are some of the hardest working people and they spent countless hours and years of grueling, difficult work to be able to help your pets. Veterinarians have some of the highest rated of suicide because of the pressure, extreme workload, and the fact that they are not able to save every animal they come across. Mentally and physically it is much too hard a job for people who don't care about animals and just want money. Vets suffer every time they make a mistake, can't fix something that happened, and put down a pet, they just can't show it. If a vet cried everyone something went wrong and let their feelings get the best of them they wouldn't be able to do their job properly. Also, they don't control the prices of medicine, the labor costs of surgery, or the price of lab tests. Those are just naturally expensive, and if you love your pet and respect your vet, you'll be understanding. It makes me SICK how many ignorant people say that vets are in it for the money just because they think that basic care for their pet is too expensive. If you can't afford vet bills, don't get a pet in the first place, and definitely do t blame the vet. Everyone else, remember this and be sure to be extra kind to your vet next time you see them.

    Spikey Bunny
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes! When my rescued Main C**n had a stroke no less than 5 nurses plus the Vet helped to treat him for several hours!!!! It was like being in a regular people hospital emergency room situation! They all loved Mason, and everyone did absolutely everything they could to help him!!! Unfortunately he was to far gone from the series of strokes he suffered and had to be put to sleep a couple days later. (very very long story) He was only 7. Trust me when I say they all tried everything they could, were completely professional. In Texas, only charged me $300. We miss him every day. They all did their absolute best.

    Load More Replies...
    -AestheticDevil-
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m so grateful for this man. Thank you for taking care of the animals of the world.

    MagicalUnicorn
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this gives me hope since i judge people based on how kind they are to animals, they deserve all the love in the world <3

    Becky Bailey-Dawes
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is easy to appreciate what he does for the love of the animals, but it says even more about his love for humanity, even--and especially--for the worst off of us--the humans that most people try to avoid. When you have lost virtually everything, that animal by your side comes to mean more than even the most pet-loving of us can understand; but this amazing man gets it. I wish him everything he wants in life and has my undying respect for doing what I cannot.

    Carol Roeder
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    God bless you Sir for your kindness and generosity to those homeless people and their animals. You are reatop notch!

    deanna woods
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We need more people like this in the world that are willing to help the less fortunate out of the goodness of their hearts. Helping others is not about social media likes and stuff like that, it's about being a decent human being.

    manowce
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it is touching how those people often don't have enough themselves, but their animals have everything. they choose to feed them, and not themselves. this is amazing. and really sad that so many people don't have homes...

    Peter
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I understand homelessness is an epidemic and that we cannot know the reasons for someone being homeless and it is not right to pass judgment. And, I understand that a pet may be a significant positive in the life of someone struggling on the streets. But, I have always felt frustrated when I see homeless people with pets because my thought process is this: if you are struggling to take care of your own needs, how are you taking care of your pet's needs? You do not often see homeless adults with homeless children because protective services will step in and assure that the children receive a certain level of care. So, why is the same empathy not given to pets? Why should a pet suffer because their owner can not afford to take care of them? To me, the more responsible and loving choice is to give the pet to someone who can take care of it properly.

    Sterrinatu
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Keep in mind those pets were not purchased. They were homeless as well. So why can't they be homeless together? My mother was homeless, she had a dog she found on the streets. It was her protector. They were companions and they took care of each other.

    Load More Replies...
    Fátima Melo
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope he receives in double of what he gives. Just wonderful 🤗

    mario.b
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is there another way to fund him, I am not on Facebook, if anybody know another way please tell me

    djinnjeannie
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Shout out for anyone in Melbourne Pets of The Homeless are a great local charity that’s run on almost entirely on volunteers (they have just recently hired a part time staff member to manage their pet food bank). You should throw some money at them if you smiled at this post.

    Melanie Celliers
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He is a beautiful man with a beautiful soul. The world needs more people like him.

    sharron lynn parsons
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    An angel indeed, I live in Canada, and my city vets, charge a fortune, therefore there are many pets, that are not able to have basic care, we do not have dogs loose on the streets, but unfortunately there are many cats, and naturally that sums up to many unwanted kittens, however, the past few years ,there have been some small groups, that began rescuing cats, lately the word is there are fewer cats to be rescued, to my knowledge, there is not an angel vet, in my city, there is a few women who started to rescue cats or kittens, in the beginning they used their own money to have vet checks, and spay, neuter and vaccinations, they wanted only to find homes for them, therefore, they asked only to pay what you can afford, until donations and fundraising to help !!!

    Christina Uhlir
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are shelter which rescue pets and if they don't get adopted they are euthanized, thousands of them.

    Load More Replies...
    Luiza Kobelus
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    when I read news like this I feel that there is still hope in humanity:)

    Lianna Valdez
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He is cute. But what he does with fur babies makes him even hotter.

    why?
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    i do not like this dislike button😑

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