local storiesOctober 14, 2025

Community Highlights: Meet Lahari Kankar of Underdog Community Project

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lahari Kankar.

Lahari, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
During the pandemic I learned about a concept called “mutual aid”. The simplest definition is people in a community helping each other to meet the needs within the community. My first practical introduction to this concept was LA Community fridges; a network of food pantries with the moto “take what you need and give what you can”
This made me start thinking about how I can contribute to my community.

When I heard about a new free vet clinic looking for volunteers, I knew right away this is what I want to do. The opportunity to be able to help both people and animals in my community without having to deal with everyone’s lest favorite part; which is asking for payment.

Three years later, our sidewalk free vet clinic has become a consistent source of support for our neighbors experiencing homelessness on Skid Row. Thanks to our growing network of volunteer veterinary professionals and community advocates, we’ve expanded our reach and now serve additional neighborhoods as well.

We work closely with other mutual aid organizations that have built strong relationships within the communities they serve. These partners understand the unique needs of their neighbors, allowing us to join their efforts and provide veterinary care to the animals in those communities. We recognize that caring for animals also means supporting the people who love them. By collaborating with trusted local partners, we ensure that both pets and their humans receive the care, respect, and compassion they deserve.

At the heart of our success is collaboration. Throughout this journey, I’ve had the honor of meeting so many incredible community leaders whose passion has inspired me. It’s a powerful reminder that we, as individuals, have the ability to support one another. Together, we are bridging the gaps left by the city’s lack of resources and building the kind of community we all deserve.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Spaying and neutering is often a sensitive topic. There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and people have very valid concerns and questions. That’s why our team is committed to providing compassionate outreach and education without judgment.

We truly couldn’t do this work without our volunteer veterinary team. These compassionate professionals generously give their time and skills to serve our community. Their support has been essential to our success, and we’re deeply grateful for the dedication of all our volunteers.

Over time, we’ve built trust and credibility within the community. Former clients have become some of our strongest advocates, sharing their experiences and encouraging their neighbors to let us help them.
Thanks to this we now have a waitlist of pet owners wanting these services. Our new challenge is finding the resources to meet this growing demand.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our organizers come from mutual aid backgrounds, and we’ve carried those values with us as we’ve grown into a nonprofit. Today, our work remains deeply rooted in community care and collective support. Our team is entirely volunteer based, and all donations go directly to serving our community.

Not all of our volunteers come from veterinary backgrounds. Some help with paperwork and admissions; others assist remotely with data entry or social media. We have creative volunteers who lend their talents in photography and graphic design, and transportation volunteers who collect donations or drive pets to appointments. Every role is essential, and every contribution matters.

I’ve seen firsthand that everyone has something to offer. You don’t have to be an expert or have tons of time. There’s a place for you in your community, and the impact you can make is bigger than you think.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
UCP has honestly changed my life, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it. When I first heard Liv was looking for volunteers to help provide free vet care, I was immediately inspired. Then I found out she didn’t have a veterinary background; she just saw a problem and wanted to help fix it. It made me realize how much impact we can have if we decide to.
I hope this encourages someone else to get involved. You don’t have to be an expert—just someone who cares about your neighbors.

Pricing:

We provide veterinary care at no cost to our clients
To support our efforts please consider making a donation or buying our merchandise

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