StreetLink has announced a new partnership with StreetVet and Street Paws to better support individuals experiencing homelessness and their pets.
This collaboration aims to address the challenges faced by homeless individuals who struggle to access veterinary care and pet-friendly accommodations.
Addressing the Needs of Homeless Individuals with Pets
For many individuals experiencing homelessness, pets provide crucial companionship and emotional support. However, living on the streets presents significant challenges in accessing essential services, particularly veterinary care and safe shelter for pets. The partnership between StreetLink, StreetVet, and Street Paws aims to bridge this gap, offering comprehensive support to both homeless individuals and their animal companions.
StreetLink, which has been a vital resource for rough sleepers across England and Wales for over a decade, has enhanced its online platform to include the option for individuals to indicate if they have a pet when seeking support. This addition allows StreetLink to quickly identify cases where both the individual and their pet require assistance, facilitating swift referrals to StreetVet and Street Paws for specialised care.
Vicky Sterrett, StreetLink Contract Manager at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are happy and excited to be working with StreetVet and Street Paws. This collaboration allows us to support homeless individuals and ensure their pets have access to essential veterinary care, a safe place to sleep, and other necessary resources. This partnership ensures pets are not left behind in the fight against homelessness.”
StreetVet: Taking Veterinary Care to the Streets
StreetVet, a registered veterinary practice and national charity, has been providing free essential veterinary care to the pets of homeless individuals across the UK. With a team of over 600 volunteer vets and nurses, StreetVet has performed more than 10,200 consultations, offering services such as check-ups, vaccinations, microchipping, and preventative care. They also supply daily pet essentials like food, harnesses, collars, and toys. For pets requiring more complex treatment, StreetVet arranges appointments at veterinary practices and covers the costs.
Through the partnership with StreetLink, when an individual sleeping rough indicates they have a pet in need, the alert is sent to StreetVet’s clinical team to ensure the animal receives necessary treatment. This integrated approach allows for a comprehensive response to the needs of both the individual and their pet.
Zoe Abbotts, CEO of StreetVet, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “StreetVet was delighted to be asked to partner with StreetLink earlier this year and to have the opportunity to introduce our friends at Street Paws. This three-way collaboration means that more pet owners experiencing homelessness nationwide can access the veterinary care their pets need and deserve. The partnership has raised awareness of StreetVet, enabling us to support more pets across the UK and fulfil our mission to provide free veterinary care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness.”
Street Paws: Advocating for Pet-Friendly Accommodations
Since its founding in 2016, Street Paws has worked to ensure that homeless individuals do not have to choose between their pets and safe shelter. Their outreach efforts have led to the creation of the Dog Champion Scheme, which partners with hostels to make them pet-friendly. Street Paws offers free veterinary treatment, vaccinations, microchipping, and essential pet supplies. Additionally, they provide one-on-one support for pets registered under the Dog Champion Scheme, arranging more involved veterinary treatment when needed.
The partnership with StreetLink enables Street Paws to receive alerts when a homeless individual with a pet is referred, allowing them to connect the individual with the necessary services. This collaboration empowers individuals to access not only veterinary care but also the support needed to find stable accommodation, helping to break the cycle of homelessness.
Michelle Southern OBE, Founder & Director of Street Paws, commented on the partnership: “We are delighted to be working with StreetLink to ensure that no one is forced to choose between their pet and a safe place to sleep. It is our mission to support unhoused pet owners to find shelter, care, and support. This collaboration with StreetLink will create a seamless referral process so that no one is left out in the cold.”
A Collaborative Approach to Tackling Homelessness
The partnership between StreetLink, StreetVet, and Street Paws represents a significant step forward in addressing the complex issue of homelessness. By combining their resources and expertise, these organisations are providing holistic support to individuals sleeping rough and their pets, ensuring that neither is left behind.
As StreetLink continues to evolve under the management of Home Connections, collaborations like these highlight the importance of innovative solutions in tackling homelessness. Kam Basra, Operations Director at Home Connections, emphasised the organisation’s commitment: “Part of Home Connections’ mission has always been to empower people with choice through innovative solutions and services. This partnership between StreetLink, StreetVet, and Street Paws allows us to do just that, ensuring that individuals sleeping rough have access to better choices that include their pets.”
The public, local authorities, and outreach teams are encouraged to participate in this collective effort by reporting rough sleepers via StreetLink’s digital platform and indicating if a pet is present. Together, these efforts can ensure that both people and pets are supported on their journey out of homelessness and towards stability.
For more information on how to get involved or to learn about reporting rough sleeping effectively, please visit thestreetlink.org.uk.
