Dogs Trust deliver Christmas hope to people experiencing homelessness
The charity will deliver canine hampers of collars, leads, coats, treats and toys to dogs and their owners
The Dogs Trust are delivering 'Christmas hope' to people experiencing homelessness across Cornwall.
The Christmas elves at Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, are busy getting ready to spread Christmas cheer across Cornwall by delivering gifts to the canine companions of people experiencing homelessness.
Melanie Moloney, Rehousing Team Site Manager at Cornwall Housing, said:
"The dogs on site often have very little in the way of treats, toys and warm winter coats. The owners often struggle at this time of year due to previous experiences and often with the festive emphasis on family and a particular way of life. Giving gifts to their dogs helps to remind them they matter."
Every Christmas, through its Together Through Homelessness scheme, Dogs Trust brings festive cheer to the dogs of people experiencing homelessness by delivering canine hampers of collars, leads, coats, treats and toys to dogs and their owners. Dogs Trust has been running the unique service for over 30 years and as well as Christmas gifts, provides free veterinary treatment to dogs whose owners are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.
In recent months* Together Through Homelessness have seen an 82% rise in enquiries, as Crisis Homelessness Monitor 2023 shows that homelessness is on the rise in the UK.
This year, Together Through Homelessness will deliver almost 2,000 Christmas parcels to dogs and their owners - and 72 over Cornwall - at over 215 homelessness services across the UK. Some of the homelessness services in Cornwall that have benefited from Dogs Trust’s Together Through Homelessness include Cornwall Housing, Coastline Housing and St Petrocs.
Megan Evans, Together Through Homelessness Team Leader at Dogs Trust, added:
"Everyone knows that the bond between a dog and its owner is a strong one but for people experiencing homelessness, the bond is often unbreakable. Christmas can be an especially difficult and lonely time for people in housing crisis, but the company of a canine friend can often help to ease some of this loneliness.
"However, thanks to the generosity of Dogs Trust supporters, this year we’ll spread a little bit of Christmas cheer and help almost 2,000 dogs celebrate Christmas with their best friends. Not only that, but we will be able to continue to support them into the New Year and beyond so that more dogs can stay with their owners, regardless of their housing situation."
As well as distributing Christmas hampers and offering free veterinary treatments Together Through Homelessness supports homelessness services to accept clients with dogs and helps them put in place practical guidelines. The project also provides starter packs of dog items to help new dogs feel welcome at homelessness services.
You can support the Together Through Homelessness on the Dogs Trust website. |newtab)