PETS-Washington DC (PETS-DC)

PETS-DC assists people with HIV/AIDS and other disabling conditions in caring for their pets (public health education, exercise, food, grooming, fostering, veterinary care, adoptions) in the metropolitan area. info@petsdc.org; 202-234-7387.

Why do we exist?

PETS-DC is a non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with HIV/AIDS and their companion animals. Many people with HIV/AIDS live alone and having a pet supports them living independently. A pet’s love and affection are unconditional and everlasting. That love is a very important part of the emotional support network of persons living with HIV/AIDS; yet many of our clients experience financial and physical barriers making it difficult to care for their pets. We seek to fill in the gaps between other AIDS-service providers and animal-related organizations, and to address the particular health-related needs of pet owners with HIV/AIDS in the metropolitan Washington, DC area. Our mission is to assist by providing public health education, volunteer, financial and advocacy resources.

What have you accomplished?

“This would be a very empty house without my dog, but I couldn’t have kept him without PETS-DC. It’s more than what they do for my dog, it’s the daily contact. They check to see I’m OK,” said Hank Carde quoted in the USA TODAY, January 14, 1997. Hank depends on PETS-DC volunteers to help with daily walks of Bimmer, his bichon frise’. “I don’t know how I would have made it through the last 3 1/2 years without my dogs,” says Don Haines of Washington, who has full-blown AIDS and two dogs. “When my partner died in 1994, I went through pure hell. Every time I’d get upset, they were right there beside me.” [ USA TODAY, Jan. 14, 1997, page 4D. ] People like Hank and Don depend on PETS-DC to help with the care of their pets. In 1996, PETS-DC helped 125 families with 183 pets. Without the organization’s assistance, pet companionship would be one more part of their life that a person with AIDS would have to give up.

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