Bringing Pet care home

For many people, pets are an important part of the family. However, the rising costs for veterinary care, transportation and pet food are pushing more people to consider giving up their pets, and shelters are facing record demand (VTDigger, Sept. 2026).

This summer, Addison Housing Works partnered with Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society, to bring its PetCORE Clinic directly to AHW residents. The PetCORE clinic is a program designed to bring affordable pet care to under-resourced or low-income pet owners, keeping beloved pets healthy and at home. The program provides basic wellness veterinary care including nail trims and vaccinations, flea/tick & parasite prevention, spay/neuter surgery, and supplemental pet food at an affordable rate all year round.

AHW staff members Sam, Precious, and Kaio worked with Homeward Bound and residents to coordinate clinics at Firehouse Apartments in Bristol and Armory Lane in Vergennes, where residents and community members could gather to sign up for the Pet CORE clinic and receive basic pet care.

At the Firehouse Apartments clinic, 15 families received services, with several bringing more than one pet. Four AHW households participated, three from Firehouse Apartments and one from Hunt Farm. None of the four had previously been enrolled in Homeward Bound’s PetCORE Clinic, so in addition to receiving care at the clinic, they are now connected with the program and can access its services throughout the year.

For Firehouse resident Mary Atherton, having the clinic come directly to her community meant she could bring her 14-pound dog, Max, for a wellness check. Mary said other residents were equally enthusiastic about having the clinic available right at Firehouse Apartments. “Everybody was really thrilled,” she said. “I think that there’s animals here that will not get treated. So that’s one program I would love to see happen again.”

Precious heard similar appreciation from another Firehouse resident, who shared that the clinic made it possible for them to afford veterinary care for their pet. For older adults and others living on fixed incomes, those savings can make a meaningful difference.

By partnering with organizations like Homeward Bound, AHW can help connect residents with resources that support the whole household, including its four-legged members.

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