Local Pets of the Homeless fundraiser set to launch Dec. 1 in Carson City

Hoping to at least double the proceeds from last year's annual Pets of the Homeless fundraising campaign, a pair of Carson City businesses have teamed up for a third consecutive year in an effort to help the pets of homeless people across the United States.

Dan and Trish Wilson of Downtown Coin, located at 111 W. Telegraph Street, will be hosting local sales of signature Portuguese olive oils and aged balsamic vinegar provided by Carpa Nevada, LLC, owned by Chef Don Pepe of Carson City, beginning Dec. 1 through Jan. 31, 2018.

Chef Pepe, known popularly and affectionately by his fans around the country as "The Paella King," said he had made up his mind several months ago to orchestrate a third straight fundraiser for Pets of the Homeless after hearing the testimony of one of its many beneficiaries.

"What brought me back this year was when I was traveling on Amtrak in February or March of this year, the train stopped in Davenport, Iowa, and I saw a guy with a dog," he said. "I asked him how he was doing with his dog. He said 'my dog is alive thanks to Pets of the Homeless.'"

Chef Don Pepe was already convinced of the worthiness of Pets of the Homeless, a Carson City-based 501(c)3 federally registered non-profit reaching homeless populations nationwide, but the personal testimony of a homeless man whose beloved pet had received care courtesy of the program reinforced its effectiveness.

"That story can be told across the country now hundreds upon hundreds of times," said Pets of the Homeless Founder and Executive Director Genevieve Frederick. "We're now up to three case managers, because we have so many emergency cases being called in from across the country."

Frederick said 84 cents of every dollar received by Pets of the Homeless goes directly to help provide routine or emergency veterinary care, food and other necessities for the pets of homeless persons coast to coast.

Although monetary donations are the lifeblood of the organization, Federick said no price can be put on the value that homeless pet owners place on the animals who stay by their sides despite desperate circumstances.

"Those pets provide joy, protection, security and warmth," she said. "There are so many human benefits to having a pet. Science has shown it to be mentally and physically helpful."

Chef Pepe said he has witnessed the importance of pets to their homeless owners. They do more than just provide company, he said. They are members of a family unit, however homeless it may be.

"People should know what a pet means to them," he said. “On my walks at night, I once saw a little girl sleeping inside a car with a dog on top of her. I asked her if she had a blanket, and she told me the dog was her blanket. That brought tears to my eyes.”

Frederick said Pets of the Homeless has helped provide for the needs of tens of thousands of homeless pets since the organization's inception in 2006.

"We've treated over 16,000 pets — emergency cases as well as in wellness clinics — across the country," she said. "Over 510 tons of pet food has been collected, too."

Fundraisers like the one spearheaded by the Wilsons and Chef Pepe are critical for addressing the increased needs of homelessness throughout the country, Frederick said, which means Pets of Homeless is growing to meet those rising demands.

The organization had budgeted $120,000 to cover veterinary costs in 2017, Frederick has said in an interview back in January. This amount increased over the previous year in which more than $97,000 had been spent on veterinary care.

"We have over 450 donation sites across the country," she said. "The numbers are growing every year, and we're just happy that we can help these people and their pets."

Donation centers accept a number of items to meet pet needs: From food and treats to toys, blankets, beds, clothing and even pet shampoo.

Frederick said without the donations from a generous community, Pets of the Homeless wouldn't exist to provide assistance where help is often needed most among homeless populations.

"I want to express my gratitude to the Chef for doing this year after year," she said, "and giving the profits to our organization."

Dan Wilson said he’s happy to help, because pets have been an important part of his life. He understands their significance to others.

"Pets are a big part of my life," he said. “Imagine not having anything except your pet."

The annual fundraiser through Downtown Coin generated about $400 in its first year and more than $600 last year for Pets of the Homeless.

Chef Don Pepe has three types of pure, fine imported olive oils from Portugal for sale as well as a special, vintage balsamic vinegar aged over a quarter century.

The traditionally processed oils are selling for $15.95 per bottle during the fundraising campaign, he said, while the vinegar is priced a little over $20 per container.

Learn more about Chef Don Pepe's specially made products online here or by visiting him on Facebook.

Call Downtown Coin at 775-883-4653 for more information on the fundraising sale, or visit the store next to Telegraph Square in downtown Carson City.

Visit Pets of the Homeless online here or find it on Facebook for more information about the locally-based national charity.