Lincolnshire Vet concerned about homeless people with pets being prevented from securing a bed for the night

The decision to stay with their pet rather than take shelter is one that 42% of Brits say they’d make

Author: Charlotte LinnecarPublished 4th Dec 2024
Last updated 6th Dec 2024

A Lincolnshire Vet who started a charity supporting the pets of rough sleepers is calling on more homeless hostels to take in the companions of those in need this winter.

New research shows just 10% of UK Hostels allow pets, leading many to choose between a roof over their head or staying on the streets to remain with their pets.

Jade Statt from Castle Bytham in South Kesteven is the Co-founder of Street Vet - she says those animals are essential for people who already don't have much:

"Those pets are a major support for them, sometimes the only support, they can be their, you know emotional support, mental health support... they're family so they're not something that they are going to be parted from.

"Also, it goes without saying they're for exactly for the same reason that pets are important to us all, they are your support, they provide loyalty, companionship, friendship. But, in terms of or clients it can keep them alive - providing warmth, and providing security sometimes also.

"There is a big misconception that people experiencing homelessness require pets to increase public sympathy but that just simply isn't true. A lot of our clients have had their pets from before they were homeless and they're actually a part of their homelessness story."

She added that those who decline a room if it means parting with their companion, they're then labelled 'voluntarily' homeless. She wishes to change that system:

"If you are experiencing homelessness and you're offered a room in a hostel, which you turn down because in order to qualify for it, you would have to reliquish your dog, and you would then be deemed voluntarily homeless which then means that you are put to the bottom of the list and this something that, quite frankly horrified me."

So, this winter, StreetVet, is calling on the public to help homeless hostels, temporary accommodation and day centres become accessible to all that need them. What's been described as a gap in the current system, means that those who have much-loved and needed pets are being prevented from accessing services and securing a bed for the night.

For those facing homelessness with their pet this Christmas, many will spend the festive period constantly looking for places to stay in the form of temporary or emergency accommodation.

According to new research by Tails.com, over two-thirds (64%) agree that a dog can act as a lifeline, providing emotional and mental health support, warmth, and companionship, making it crucial to ensure that owners and pets are not separated.

With only 10% of homeless hostels in the UK willing to take in individuals and their pets, many face a tough choice this winter: a roof over their head or sleeping rough to remain with their pet companion.

Such is the bond between our pets and owners, the decision to stay with their pet rather than take shelter is one that 42% of Brits say they’d make.

The issue of homelessness is growing across the UK. Latest ONS figures show that over 350,000 households contacted their local authority for support after being threatened with homelessness or losing their home in 2023-24, up more than 10% in a year.

Now, data highlights how more than 3 in 5 people (64%) in the UK are of the opinion that not enough is being done to support those who find themselves homeless, with just under three quarters of Brits (72%) acknowledging that people can become homeless through no fault of their own.

Although there is a groundswell of support, with 62% saying that more hostels across the UK should accommodate pets, it remains a growing problem. Now, schemes like the StreetVet Hostel Accreditation have been created to alleviate the issue.

In the scheme they provide training and wrap-around support, enabling hostels to adopt positive pet policies. They also hope that through a 10-point Accreditation Scheme hostels have more confidence and assurances to begin accepting those experiencing homelessness with pets.

One of the StreetVet charity aims is to protect and foster the human-animal bond, which they aim to do by offering support to hostels in 10 key areas:

  • Pet Boarding
  • Pet Transport
  • Hostel staff training and education
  • Hostel dog policy and owner contracts
  • StreetVet patient registration
  • Provision of pet essentials
  • Telemedicine triage service
  • Free legal advice
  • 24 hour emergency free phone number
  • In-practice veterinary diagnostics and surgery

In the past year, the charity has more than doubled the amount of pets it has helped, across 37 accredited hostels in the UK.

According to StreetVet, the main reasons given by hostels for not accepting residents with pets are:

  • a lack of staff knowledge and training
  • health and safety concerns
  • pet welfare responsibility concerns
  • “no pet” clauses in hostel lease agreements
  • greater difficulty in finding pet friendly permanent housing to “move on,” occupying hostel rooms for longer

This month, StreetVet is taking part in the Big Give's Christmas Challenge, and runs until midday on the 10th of December. No matter the size of the gift, every £1 donated to StreetVet will be doubled whilst match funds last.

To find out more about StreetVet and what they do and the support they provide, head to their website.

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