Topeka group houses homeless pets during cold snap

TOPEKA (KSNT) – One local group is working overtime to help both homeless dogs and homeless people through this stretch of cold weather.

The Street Dog Coalition is a national nonprofit organization geared toward helping people without homes care for their pets. The Topeka branch, started back in 2020 by Matt Baldwin and Allison Crow, is entirely volunteer-based.

Crow is a local veterinarian and Baldwin works at Topeka’s Breakthrough House. He tells 27 News frigid temperatures have made for a chaotic few weeks for his team of volunteers.

However, these operations run year-round, rain or shine. Baldwin says the coalition’s motto is ‘taking care of both ends of the leash,’ meaning both people and animals.

“Our whole goal is empowerment,” Baldwin said. “We want to empower people, we want to help them find a voice and we want to help them find a purpose in life, move forward in line, and stability, above all.” 

Dogs aren’t allowed to stay at local warming shelters where many of Topeka’s homeless are being served right now. The coalition, Baldwin says, is currently boarding dogs for roughly 13 unsheltered individuals.

He and his team are leaning on various animal clinics in the Topeka area for open kennels. Baldwin says this gets expensive, but being able to help those without a home during this time is priceless.

Baldwin says the coalition is looking for community support right now. To donate to the coalition, click here.