TOPEKA (KSNT) – A local group is working overtime to help both homeless dogs and homeless people in this bitterly cold weather.
Street Dog Coalition is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless people care for their pets. The Topeka branch was founded in 2020 by Matt Baldwin and Alison Crowe and is entirely volunteer-based.
Crowe is a local veterinarian and Baldwin works at Breakthrough House in Topeka. He told 27 News it's been a chaotic few weeks for the volunteer team due to the frigid temperatures.
However, these jobs are performed all year round, rain or shine. Baldwin said the coalition's motto is “taking care of both ends of the string,” meaning both humans and animals.
“Our goal is empowerment,” Baldwin said. “We want to empower people, help them have a voice, and most of all we want to help them find purpose in life, stay on track, and find stability. .”
Currently, dogs are not allowed to stay at the local warming shelter where many of Topeka's homeless people are housed. Baldwin said the coalition currently has unsheltered dogs in the care of about 13 people.
He and his team seek out open kennels at various animal clinics in the Topeka area. Baldwin says this is expensive, but being able to help people who are homeless during this time is invaluable.
Baldwin said the coalition is now seeking community support. To donate to the coalition, click here.
