St. Vincent de Paul Opens Animal Companion Clinic in Phoenix

News Summary

St. Vincent de Paul has launched the Marion and Bob Auray Animal Companion Clinic in downtown Phoenix, aimed at providing veterinary care to pets of unhoused individuals. The 3,000-square-foot facility offers services such as vaccinations, wellness check-ups, and free supplies to support the bond between residents and their animals. With plans to expand its services, including surgical areas and pet care classes, this clinic reinforces the importance of companion animals in the lives of those facing homelessness.

Phoenix – St. Vincent de Paul has opened the Marion and Bob Auray Animal Companion Clinic in downtown Phoenix, designed specifically to assist the pets of unhoused individuals. The clinic, which opened in early July 2025, spans 3,000 square feet and will serve a significant number of residents at the St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) shelter, where approximately one in five individuals living there has a dog. On any given day, around 450 people reside at the facility.

The clinic is part of the Companion Animal Program (CAP) initiated by SVdP in 2021, which has so far provided care to 2,640 companion animals. The clinic operates by appointment only and is staffed by volunteer veterinarians who offer a variety of services, including free food and supplies, wellness check-ups, vaccinations, and spay/neuter surgeries.

Facilities at the clinic include three exam rooms, a dedicated cat ward featuring a TV for entertainment, a dog ward, and grooming space. There are plans to develop a surgical area as well. In addition, a recovery area and an X-ray room are expected to be added in the future. Currently, the clinic focuses on delivering vaccines and basic animal care, with residents able to pick up essential items like dog food and leashes directly from the clinic.

The design and establishment of the clinic took about four years to finalize, with Marion Auray, who has extensive experience in animal welfare, leading the project. Auray was involved in reviewing the facility’s floor plans during its early stages of development. The ultimate goal is for the clinic to operate full-time, five days a week, and to expand its services over time, including potential classes on pet care.

One of the notable features of the clinic is an outdoor play area for dogs, which is shaded to accommodate their needs during Phoenix’s hot weather. It emphasizes the importance of the bond between unhoused individuals and their pets, aiming to support this vulnerable population by providing necessary resources.

Cassie Boyle, the clinic coordinator and veterinary technician, highlights the profound connection between unhoused individuals and their pets, often noting that these individuals prioritize their animals’ care over their own needs. This connection underscores the importance of empathy and understanding towards the struggles of unhoused individuals who own pets, as their challenges may not be visibly apparent.

The staff at the clinic is dedicated to eliminating judgment towards unhouse individuals and strives to improve the quality of life for both pets and their owners by offering essential support. By providing a reliable resource for animal care, the clinic aims to promote better living conditions and enhance the well-being of animals connected to their unhoused owners. As the clinic continues to grow and evolve, it remains committed to making a positive impact in the lives of those it serves.

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• KTAR News: Telehealth Services for Pets
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• Encyclopedia Britannica: Pet
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