Programs & services
We do far more than adoptions. Our community programs prevent suffering before it starts — and help keep pets and the families who love them together.
A limited-service clinic for everyday care
The clinic at Homeward Bound is a limited-service veterinary clinic designed to provide preventative care and treatment for select non-emergency medical conditions. The clinic does not have radiographs (X-rays) or hospitalization capabilities and cannot manage severe or complex medical emergencies. PetFIX serves Addison County & Brandon.
Affordable spay and neuter surgeries to keep pets healthy and prevent unwanted litters.
Spay/neuter services info (PDF)Routine wellness exams, vaccines, and preventative care to keep your pet thriving.
Wellness exam info (PDF)Care for select non-emergency conditions when your pet isn't feeling their best.
Sick visits info (PDF)Homeward Bound's Online Pharmacy — Shop Local. Help Animals. Pet medications, food, and more delivered to your door with all the convenience of online pharmacies, while supporting Homeward Bound. Visit the online pharmacy.
Support that keeps pets in loving homes
Homeward Bound's PetCORE program serves under-resourced pet owners. Eligible clients may receive parasite preventatives, low-cost basic pet wellness care, and access to affordable spay/neuter surgery at Homeward Bound.
Important update — as of January 1, 2026: a PetCORE Application is no longer required to access supplemental pet food at the food shelf located in HOPE. If you need assistance with wellness care, flea and tick preventative, or affordable spay/neuter surgeries, a PetCORE Application is required.
Eligibility
Eligibility is based on provided proof of Addison County residency and proof of household income equal to or less than 200% of federal poverty levels.
- ✔ Proof that you are an Addison County resident
- ✔ Proof of household income/assistance for all working adults (e.g. Dept. of Economic Services eligibility letter, Social Security Income letter, welfare or unemployment documentation, paystubs, or proof of assistance such as Reach-up, SNAP, or WIC)
Incomplete applications cannot be processed until this information is received.
Program agreements
To be in PetCORE, you agree to:
- ✔ Have all pets (cats/dogs) spayed or neutered according to the agreed-upon surgery appointments
- ✔ Not take in any new pets or replace pets while receiving PetCORE assistance
- ✔ Inform Homeward Bound when there is a change in household income
- ✔ Provide contact information that works (email or cell number with functional voicemail)
We provide basic wellness care only and do not provide care for emergency needs. All information shared is kept confidential.
Paper applications are also available at the shelter. Mail or drop off completed applications to 236 Boardman Street, Middlebury, VT 05753, ATTN: PetCORE.
Our PetCORE program is generously supported by The Irving and Phyllis Millstein Foundation for Animal Welfare.® The Foundation's mission is to protect, care for, and support vulnerable, at-risk animals, and to address animal-related human conditions, connections, and bonds. Irving and Phyllis valued the human and animal relationship, and the Foundation provides grants and programs that foster and preserve these relationships.
A safe place when life turns upside down
Homeward Bound provides short-term boarding and free basic medical care — including spay/neuter — for the companion animals of Addison County residents who find themselves unexpectedly and temporarily unable to care for them.
The program serves those facing domestic violence, natural disaster, or medical emergency. Pet owners can enroll animals for up to two weeks while addressing personal needs. In most cases, when the crisis settles, the pets are reunited with their owners. If owners cannot reclaim pets, Homeward Bound accepts them into the shelter system for rehoming and adoption.
To qualify, pet owners must be working with a social service agency, and their case manager or advocate must contact the organization. All services provided through this program are confidential.
How to reach us
Have your social-service case manager or advocate contact Homeward Bound:
- 📞 (802) 388-1100 ext. 108 or (802) 382-9320
- ✉️ programs@homewardboundanimals.org or shelter@homewardboundanimals.org
Up to two weeks of boarding · free basic medical care · fully confidential.
Caring for feral & barn cats
Part of what makes Addison County such a great place to live is the numerous farms and beautiful fields and woods that mark our landscape — but this terrain is also prime territory for barn and feral cats. We are dedicated to the health and welfare of every animal, whether it prefers a human lap or a nice haystack as a place to catch a nap.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is an effective, time-tested program through which cats are humanely captured in traps, spayed or neutered by a veterinarian, rabies vaccinated, and returned to their original location where they can live out their lives. We can help with large colonies of cats and with individual feral cats.
- ✔ Offered at no charge
- ✔ Cats must be within Addison County
- ✔ Requires a responsible person committed to feeding and monitoring them post-release
Spay the Mom
This program is designed for Addison County residents whose pets have had a "whoops" litter! In exchange for surrendering all the kittens/puppies to Homeward Bound so we can place them (sterilized and vaccinated) into loving homes, we will cover the costs of having your mom cat/dog spayed and vaccinated and return her to you at no cost.
Contact: programs@homewardboundanimals.org
About 2,000 surgeries every year
In addition to sheltering and adoption, Homeward Bound spays or neuters approximately 2,000 dogs and cats every year — including all adopted animals. We've significantly reduced pet overpopulation in the region through these initiatives.
PetCORE
Affordable spay/neuter for income-eligible Addison County residents.
PetFIX
Affordable spay/neuter and wellness through our community clinic.
Trap-Neuter-Return
Free spay/neuter for feral and barn cats in Addison County.
VT-CAN! (Vermont Companion Animal Neutering Inc.)
Offers low-cost spay/neuter for people who cannot afford to go to a full-service veterinarian.
- 📍 19A Bailey Meadows Rd, Middlesex, VT 05602
- 📞 802-223-0034
- 🕒 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
VSNIP (Vermont Spay Neuter Incentive Program)
A publicly funded program with limited funding (and potentially lengthy processing times).
Want to learn more about reducing outdoor cat populations? Watch this short video on why spay/neuter is key.
Suspect cruelty? Call law enforcement first
If you suspect or have witnessed possible animal abuse or neglect, your first step is to call local law enforcement. If you believe a situation involving an animal is in violation of the law, please file your complaint with the law enforcement agency that serves the town where the animal is residing.
Homeward Bound does NOT have the authority to investigate complaints or remove animals from a home. Please contact the appropriate law-enforcement agency below.
What counts as animal cruelty?
Animal cruelty includes knowingly depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, socialization, or veterinary care; or maliciously torturing, maiming, mutilating, or killing an animal.
VT Statutes Title 13, Chapter 8
Law-enforcement contacts
- Addison County Sheriff's Department — 802-388-2981
- Vermont State Police Department — 802-388-4919
- Middlebury Police Department — 388-3191
- Vergennes Police Department — 877-2201
- Bristol Police Department — 453-2533
Struggling with a behavior issue? Call us first
Behavioral problems are a common reason why dogs are surrendered by their owners and why newly adopted dogs are returned to the shelter. Before you make a decision, reach out — we are hopeful the following resources may be useful to you.
Thinking of rehoming?
Read what to consider before surrendering — there may be options that keep you together.
These programs are powered by you
Homeward Bound receives no federal, state, or national funding — our community programs run on donations and the people who give their time. Help us prevent suffering and keep families together.