Since 2013, Sam Kovac has devoted time and money to helping animals who live on the streets.
In an initiative called Project HoPe, the young vet offers check-ups, vaccinations and complex surgery at his two Sydney clinics, free of charge for those in need.
About a year ago, as he treated a dog with ligament problems, he realised he was in a unique position to help the owners of pets as well.
The dog's owner visited with his pet frequently, and in the process divulged he was homeless, long-term unemployed and had psychological issues.
"I thought 'we're looking after his dog, but maybe we can look after him too'," Dr Kovac said.
He organised for the man to be transferred to Jewish House, a non-denominational crisis centre around the corner from his Bellevue Hill clinic.
"They took him to the hairdressers, made him over, re-skilled him and got him a forklift driver's licence," Dr Kovac said. "Now he's employed, doing forklift work, and living at a house."
Since then, Dr Kovac has been working to make a regular service out of the one-off interaction.
The result is "Howl-tzolah", a 24-hour pet ambulance service catering to homeless cats and dogs around Sydney.
The name of the service is twist on the Hebrew word Hatzolah (meaning "rescue" or "relief"), and a reference to the worldwide volunteer group of first-responders by the same name.
As well as collecting a sick or injured pet in one of three ambulances and taking them to Bellevue Hill, the responding vet and nurse will bring pet's owner along and drop them at Jewish House, on Flood Street in Bondi.
Dr Kovac has worked with the centre for years, even installing kennels to allow women fleeing domestic violence to bring their pets with them when they stay there.
The centre offers accommodation, employment support, psychologists, legal services and mentoring to help people get back on their feet.
"It's really the one-stop-shop," Dr Kovac said. "It's still the only pet-friendly crisis centre in Sydney ... we know people will get the care they need."
Though it is hard for some people to speak about their problems and ask for help, it becomes easier when the conversation is at first about their pet, Dr Kovac said.
"There's so many examples of clients who start pouring their hearts out to us about trauma they've gone through that we can end up assisting them with, and the conversation all starts with the pet," he said.
"For a lot of the charities, there's kind of a big disconnect between those looking after the companion animals and homeless people. We know with this community, their lives are so intertwined that you need to look after both parties as one.
"The people can be better looked-after if their animals are taken into account, too."
The emergency ambulance service runs on donations collected by Project HoPe, and will be available 24 hours a day on (02) 9389 7534.
Dr Kovac said people who need help shouldn't hesitate to call the hotline.
"It's no trouble for us to go out."
