Karen Cain is a licensed mental health therapist who loves animals. Since moving to Santa Fe in the 1990s, she has kept dog food in the trunk of her car to help feed the companion animals of individuals experiencing homelessness. While driving down St. Francis Drive in 1998, Karen saw a man and his dog walking. Both were limping, finding it difficult to walk on the side of the busy street. She pulled the car over and asked the man if he needed help. “I need to see a doctor,” the man said, “and so does my dog.” Karen didn’t hesitate. The man and his dog got into her car, and she took them to get help.

It wasn’t unusual for Karen to help find medical care for the companion animals of people on the streets. But she credits this particular incident as the impetus for her to formalize the compassionate outreach she had been doing. Karen founded the Street Homeless Animal Project, or SHAP. Twenty-two years later, SHAP is going strong – receiving its nonprofit status in 2009 – and its mission is still to alleviate suffering and keep homeless animal/human families together.

“Whether the person who is experiencing homelessness has cared for the animal for a long time or recently forged a bond, they are a family,” Karen said. She believes a companion animal often gives hope and a feeling of responsibility for people and sometimes is the reason to stop addictive behaviors. “Keeping this family unit together is a stabilizing factor for the person experiencing homelessness,” Karen said. “Animals love unconditionally, and we all need that!”



SHAP collaborates with Smith Veterinary Hospital and the Santa Fe Animal Shelter for spaying and neutering, vaccinations, preventive care as well as any emergency services for the animals. “The veterinarians and staff at Smith’s have been great,” Karen said. “Keeping the animals healthy is, of course, good for them and the community.” SHAP also works closely with the Food Depot which provides the food for the companion animals. SHAP also provides leashes or harnesses when needed.

Under Karen’s leadership SHAP is one of the Shelter’s valued partner providers and works with our guests and their pets just like she does with people living on the streets or in other shelters around town.  “Our work on behalf of the people who live on the street or in shelters – and their companion animals that they love – is harder than ever now with the coronavirus pandemic, but it’s more necessary than ever,” Karen said. “We need to keep on doing what we can and be there for each other.”