Rough sleeping response team to ensure 'pets won't be left behind in fight against homelessness'

Rough sleeping outreach service StreetLink has joined forces with animal welfare charities SteetVet and Street Paws to act as an emergency response team for homeless pet owners.

The StreetLink service allows people to signpost rough sleepers to support services in England and Wales. Since relaunching in October 2023, the online service has helped more than 7,000 people on the streets.

Now, the service is expanding with StreetVet and Street Paws on-hand to support homeless pet owners who self-refer and indicate they have an animal companion.

Pets are often an important source of support and company for people experiencing homelessness, including for Big Issue vendors.

The strong human-animal bond was on show recently when Truro vendor Nick Cuthbert raised more than £1,000 for an animal charity that helped him get new puppy Bracken after the loss of his dog Bryony left him griefing the “love of his life”.

Vicky Sterrett, StreetLink contract manager at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, said: “We are happy and excited to be working with StreetVet and Street Paws as this allows us not only to support homeless individuals but also help their pets gain access to free veterinary care, a safe place to sleep and other essential needs. This ensures pets are not left behind in the fight against homelessness.”

Access to veterinary care and pet-friendly accommodation can be extremely challenging for people with some choosing to stay on the streets rather than moving indoors without their beloved animal.

It’s a situation that has improved in recent years with initiatives like StreetVet’s own Accredited Hostel Scheme, Street Paws’ Dog Champion Scheme or Dogs Trust’s Together Through Homelessness programme. 

But with the number of people sleeping rough growing in recent months, there remains plenty of homeless animals on the street where they are as vulnerable as their owners.

StreetLink’s new upgrade will send an alert to StreetVet when someone sleeping rough with a pet self-refers, allowing their clinical team to investigate to ensure the animal receives any necessary treatment.

The charity has helped care for more than 2,800 pets with 600 volunteer vets and nurses providing free veterinary care and services on pavements across the UK.

Zoe Abbotts, CEO of StreetVet, said: “StreetVet was delighted to be asked to partner with StreetLink earlier this year and to have the opportunity to also introduce our friends at Street Paws. The three-way collaboration has meant more pet owners nationwide, who are experiencing homelessness can find a route to access the veterinary care their pet may need and deserve.”

Street Paws will also be on hand to provide a similar service across the north of England.

Michelle Southern, founder and director of StreetPaws, said: “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.”

If you see someone who is sleeping rough and needs support, reports can be made on StreetLink’s website.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. Big Issue exists to give homeless and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy of the magazine or get the app from the App Store or Google Play.