San Diego, CA

Our San Diego Team hosts downtown clinics on the 3rd Sunday of every month at Father Joe’s Villages, in addition to the 4th Saturday of every month in Ocean Beach at Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. Click here for the most up to date details since they are subject to change. To donate to their efforts to provide free veterinary care to pets of people experiencing homelessness in San Diego, click here.

Ticket System:

On the 3rd Sunday of every month, our Downtown team sets up at Father Joe's Villages from 1-3pm. Due to limited time and resources, availability to be seen is based on a first-come first-serve basis. A set number of tickets are handed out by the Father Joe's security team early on Sunday morning (around 8am) at the JKC security post inside the lobby. One ticket is required PER PET, not per family (ex: Owner with 2 dogs will need 2 tickets for both to be seen.) If you do not receive a ticket, we cannot guarantee you’ll be seen. You are still welcome to wait in line when the clinic is running. If there is extra time, we may be able to see extra cases, but it is not guaranteed. Please have your pet leashed or in a carrier. Thank you for your cooperation!

Team Leads:

Sydney Lopez, DVM

(Downtown Team) I’m a small animal emergency veterinarian in the San Diego area, and recently started volunteering with Street Dog Coalition here toward the end of 2021. Previously, in veterinary school at Colorado State University, I had the privilege to work with Dr. Geller a few times at the Murphy Center through our clinical rotations, where I found my love to serve in this community. I’m humbled to now be a part of SDC as a veterinarian serving in beautiful San Diego.

Nicole Del Pino, DVM

(Downtown Team) I have been living in San Diego since October 2021, but I am originally from central NY. I work at a small animal General practice in Chula Vista and I went to vet school at Colorado State University. I was first introduced to The Street Dog Coalition during my community practice rotation in Fort Collins. I was able to rekindle friendships in San Diego and become more involved in SDC. I love being able to strengthen and support the human-animal connection because we can be our best selves in the eyes of our pets. In my free time I am learning how to surf and spending time with my 7 yo Pit bull, Puff, and 5 yo cat, Paul.

Michelle Ku, DVM

(Ocean Beach Team) Dr. Michelle Ku is a small animal general practitioner with an interest in community health. During her time as an undergrad, Dr. Ku volunteered for various rescue organizations, San Diego Humane Society, and San Diego Department of Animal Services. She served the Chair of Public Health Committee at Western University College of Veterinary Medicine, and she organized several outreach events for low-income and homeless communities to provide basic veterinary care for their pets in Pomona, CA. As a passionate supporter of the human-animal bond as well as its benefits for mental health, Dr. Ku is honored and excited to join SDC in serving this community.

Scharlet Kelly, DVM

(Ocean Beach) Dr. Kelly has been practicing since 2015 in a variety of roles in the veterinary field- general small animal and exotic/zoo med practitioner, surgeon, intern director, medical director and emergency Dr. She lives in San Marcos with her three kids, Stella, Cyrus and Ronan as well as her furry and scaled creatures, Lantana the cat, Lui the staffie, and Sandy, the 70 year old desert tortoise! Dr Kelly is thrilled to be part of The Street Dog Coalition crew!

Ala Najduch

(Downtown) I’ve been working as a veterinary assistant and scribe in San Diego since graduating from Scripps Institute of Oceanography. I love being able to serve my community from a One Health approach and reinforce the importance of the human-animal bond.  I have a strong belief that appreciation and respect for the environment and all its creatures starts at home. In my free time I surf, practice Muay Thai and teach my Cattle Dog/Pittie Mix to give me kisses on command. 

7.30.23 Clinic in unbridled collaboration with Think Dignity, Burrito Boyz, and FACE Foundation.

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