SALT LAKE CITY — On a Friday morning in August at Pioneer Park, dozens of dogs and cats mingled with pet owners from around Salt Lake City. The dogs were barking and the cats were a little jumpy. But, for the most part, the pet owners were happy and relieved.
Largely because Ruff Haven, a Utah non-profit was giving out free vaccinations to any pet in need. The event drew many dog and cat owners, who were either unsheltered or in a transitional state of housing.
“While I’m struggling right now, I’m still able to take care of my animals, because if I couldn’t take care of my animals, I’d have to get rid of them,” said one woman who preferred not to use her name. “And they’re really important to me. And getting them vaccinated today is huge.”
Non-profit Ruff Haven gives out free vaccinations to pets at Pioneer Park. (KSL TV)
Ruff Haven was founded in 2020, during the pandemic by four animal-loving friends. The Pioneer Park clinic was just one of many in 2024 where the non-profit took a hands-on and personal approach to the well-being of Utah pets. And the need seems to be growing.
“And we didn’t have too many animals at first,” says co-founder and co-CEO Kristina Pulsipher referring to the Pioneer Park outreach. “This is where we see a lot of people who are working with social services agencies, case managers, those who are unsheltered or are maybe working with a social services partner.”
One of the guiding principles of Ruff Haven is respect. According to its mission statement, “We treat the people and pets we serve with kindness and dignity. We strive to provide a non-judgmental environment where people feel safe entrusting their beloved pets in our care.”
Earlier in the year, our KSL cameras were in Riverton when Ruff Haven provided drive-thru vaccinations to more than 150 pets. A sizable contingent of volunteers and health professionals joined in the giving.
On one Sunday afternoon in May, we rode along with Pulsipher and fellow co-founder Marisa Hernandez and their team, as they checked on unsheltered pets in the Sugarhouse neighborhood. For one young black labrador the visit may have been life-saving. Hernandez was quick to offer a series of shots; “We’ll do a Bordetella, we’ll do the rabies and we’ll do a deworm on him. And he’ll be good for a full year now that he’s over six months.”
Besides the hands-on care provided at various remote clinic settings, Ruff Haven runs a full-time crisis shelter. The shelter has cared for 1,500 pets since 2020. Those dogs and cats are eventually reunited with their owners or moved into foster care homes.
Crisis sheltering can mean many things for those people and pets in need. From housing emergencies to health crises, the Ruff Haven clientele have been the beneficiaries of a unique and ground-breaking Utah charity.
For more information on programs and sheltering go to ruffhaven.org.
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