Street Vet Work is hands-on, community-based outreach that takes place directly where people and their pets are living, often outdoors in neighborhoods, encampments, or surrounding community areas. This work focuses on removing barriers to veterinary care by meeting pet families where they are, both physically and emotionally. Preparing ahead of time helps ensure outreach is safe, organized, and positive for pets, pet parents, and volunteers. 

Street Vet Work is active, hands-on, and takes place directly in the community—often outdoors—so preparing ahead of time makes a huge difference.

Wear & Bring:

• Comfortable weather-appropriate clothes suitable for walking and moving around

• Your PSV shirt, sweatshirt, and/or hat, so community members and partner orgs can easily identify you

• Closed-toed shoes for safety

• Sunscreen

• Water to stay hydrated throughout the day

Mindset & Approach:

• Outreach is based on meeting people where they are—both physically (sidewalks, encampments, shelters, parking lots) and theoretically (emotionally, socially, situationally).

• We operate with a No Judgment. Just Help. philosophy. You may be entering someone’s safe space, often their home, so move respectfully and ask permission before entering that space or approaching their pet.

• Build rapport through empathy, patience, and listening. Trust is earned—never assumed.

During outreach, we often collaborate with human services organizations, outreach workers, or local partners. Their presence:

• Promotes safety for our team

• Increases comfort and trust for the community

• Helps identify the best areas to offer services

• Ensures we are providing care in coordination with those already serving the area

Always follow the lead of the partner organization when approaching individuals or encampments.

If you or any member of the team feels unsafe or witness illegal activity or violence, quickly and quietly leave the location.  

Street outreach is dynamic and collaborative, similar to clinics but more mobile. Based loosely on the workflow described in the clinic guide, where volunteers set up, engage with pet parents, and help support medical care.

Arrival & Setup

• Plan to arrive 10 minutes early to meet with the team lead.

• Supplies are unloaded and organized into mobile-ready kits.

• Quick team huddle: introductions, safety notes, area overview, role reminders.  

Engaging with Pet Parents

• Volunteers greet individuals respectfully.

• When approaching an unhoused pet family, stand approximately 5 feet away from the encampment. Volunteers should not enter the enclosure or surrounding areas unless the resident asks for help with their pets.  Remember that pets in the area may, or may not, be leashed. 

• Introduce yourself, explain who you are with, and ask permission before interacting with their pet.

• Help gather basic information, similar to the check-in workflow described in the clinic paperwork section where volunteers complete forms up to the medical section when relevant.

• If an individual prefers not to share certain information, that is okay. We only gather what they are comfortable giving.

Medical History & Medical Care

• Ask pet parents about medical history, including current concerns, past illnesses, medications, vaccine history, and any recent changes in behavior or health—using a supportive, conversational, nonjudgmental approach.

• PSV veterinarians will provide medical care, which may include exams, vaccinations, wound care, medications, parasite prevention, and discussing follow-up needs.

• Volunteers help support low-stress handling, sanitation, and pet parent education.