“Here on the Central Coast, C.A.R.E.4Paws is the only group that works directly in the community to care for animals who would otherwise never see a vet, whether they’re six months or 12 years old,” he said.

Pets are a vital part of human societies. Seven out of 10 U.S. households have at least one pet and 95% of people living with pets consider them family members, recent polls report. Sadly, millions of these bonded families struggle to access veterinary care because of the cost, which can lead to animal suffering and pets being relinquished to shelters.

This is where C.A.R.E.4Paws comes to the rescue.

The nonprofit’s mobile veterinary units bring affordable wellness services directly to marginalized Central Coast communities to keep cats and dogs healthy, out of shelters and with their families for life.

Beyond financial difficulties to pay for pet services, lack of transportation, distance to care and language barriers are among other challenges families face when it comes to seeking out and receiving veterinary treatment. This is especially true for families experiencing homelessness.

Without access to care, many pets don’t get vaccinated or altered, explains Gomes, who heads up the Central Coast chapter of Street Dog Coalition, a C.A.R.E.4Paws partner that provides free veterinary services to unsheltered community members.

As a result, according to Gomes, shelters remain overcrowded, disease runs rampant through pet populations and you see more zoonotic diseases, which are caused by germs spread between animals and people.

“With its mobile clinics, affordable services and bilingual, compassionate clinic team, C.A.R.E.4Paws works at the root of the problem, removing barriers and saving lives every single day!” he said.

C.A.R.E.4Paws’ clinic program provides not just vaccines and spay/neuter surgeries at low cost, but medical exams, treatment of skin and ear infections, basic bloodwork as well as dental care and mass removals.

In fact, the clinic team will perform at least 3,300 surgeries this year, compared to about 3,000 in 2023. If a family cannot afford to pay for surgery or other treatment, the nonprofit does everything it can to provide the service for free or for a small donation.

The organization also offers critical resources through other programs, such as distribution of pet food and supplies, dog training, grooming for dogs of the unhoused and support for pet families exposed to domestic violence. It co-operates several pet resource centers alongside animal and human welfare partners, where people in need can access dog and cat food and supplies and sign up for wellness services for their companion animals as well as for themselves.

Overall, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ partnerships with dozens of animal nonprofits and shelters, vet clinics, pet service providers, businesses, social-welfare groups, community groups and youth organizations help ensure that pets don’t go without care due to financial constraints or accessibility challenges.

Taken together, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ partnerships and programs provide a lifeline for many pet families, like Lucia and her beloved service dog, Luckie, a 14-year-old Labrador.

“C.A.R.E.4Paws is a very strong support system for us,” said Lucia, who struggles with progressing disabilities.

Over the last few years, Luckie has received help with pet food, vaccines, exams and dental surgery as well as temporary foster care while Lucia underwent surgery in the spring of 2024.

“Luckie is my trusted companion and, for us, C.A.R.E.4Paws is family,” she said.