17.1% of Newark, Ohio’s population is on or below the poverty line, with an estimated 10-20% being pet-owners. This percentage, significantly above the 10.6% national poverty rate, inspired Eva, a 2026 GSD Graduate and Licking Heights High School Senior, to take action on pet care and well-being for homeless citizens in her community.

Growing up volunteering at food pantries and at her church, Eva noticed the difficulties homeless pet-owners had in securing support for their animal, and how important a pet’s well-being was to an owner and to combat loneliness. 

“Mental illness in the homeless affects many people, there are different ways people who are struggling with illness and how (to) cope,” says Eva in her final presentation. “One of the ways would be to have a pet while others would be depending on consuming things. I learned that if those who cope by having pets can take care of their pets easier, it gives them a peace of mind and helps them through their issues.

To make pet supplies easier to access for pet-owners without a home or struggling with poverty, Eva established a permanent pet supply shelf for homeless and impoverished residents in Newark, regularly stocked with necessities to relieve financial and mental burden of pet-care. 

Contacting the Look Up Center, a faith-based non-profit organization, Eva established a pet-supply shelf at the center with continuous donations available to anyone who obtains a referral paper from the Newark Homeless Outreach. 

After initially contacting Sheila Klescich, the executive director of the Look Up Center, in October to establish a space for her shelf, Eva got to work securing donations. 

The pet shelf now regularly restocks products from Simply Spoiled Pets LLC and other local petcare stores, donated from the owners and continuously restocked. First starting with four donation boxes supplied by the owners of Simply Spoiled Pets, the shelf has grown to supply products from multiple local stores and plans to expand in the near future. 

Eva’s shelf is able to supply a range of pet necessities including food, collars, leashes and toys beginning in January. The shelf size will increase this summer to accommodate the influx in donation supplies this summer, as well. 

Outside of benefiting pet-owners in the area, Newark Homeless Outreach expects more visitors at their local drives, offering affordable shopping, free trade courses and other resources. 

For Eva, providing pet supplies to those in need means more than helping out community furry friends. She hopes her shelf will combat loneliness, burden and stress for homeless pet-owners.

“Homeless people with mental health issues tend to not interact with others and end up by themselves,” says Eva. “People mainly dismiss the homeless, making them look unapproachable to help. However, homeless people in my community tend to have pets who help them with their mental health issues. These pets help these homeless people interact with something rather than being alone.”

Eva’s project takes local action towards the U.N. Sustainability Goal #3, aiming to ensure healthy living and promote well-being for all ages. Part of this goal is promoting universal mental healthcare and access. 

Eva continues her education at The Ohio State University, studying Computer and Electrical Engineering. Alongside her post-secondary studies, she plans to continue growing the Peaceful Pets shelf and increase its capacity for outreach. She hopes to grow her shelf to include more supplies for bigger dogs and cats. 

“Seeing my project in action, I am able to notice what joy a person can have by just looking at their pet being happy because they have the food or items they need, which can significantly affect both the owner and the pet’s life,” Eva says.