No one should face homelessness alone: How Dogs Trust keeps homeless people and their dogs together

Dogs are more than just a pet; for so many, they are a friend, a lifeline, and family. Dogs Trust’s recent National Dog Survey revealed that 94% of people across the UK think that dogs should be treated as members of the family. However, for dog owners experiencing homelessness, having a four-legged friend is still often a barrier to accessing support. 

Recent data from StreetVet and Battersea shows that the number of services adopting a dog-friendly approach has increased to 21%. While this is a step in the right direction, we believe there is still more to be done. In a survey of professionals supporting those experiencing homelessness, 70% told Dogs Trust that their clients had experienced barriers to accessing homelessness services because they have a dog. More services should strive for a pet-friendly approach, as it is so important that owners are able to maintain the vital relationships with their pet whilst moving through and out of homelessness.  

Dogs Trust’s Together Through Homelessness is a service that supports dog owners experiencing or at risk of homelessness across the UK by providing free vet care and increasing access to dog-friendly homelessness services. Thanks to this scheme, fewer people need to make the impossible choice between their pets and somewhere safe to sleep. We have already endorsed more than 90 services across the UK, and our vet scheme provides free vet care for dog owners experiencing and imminently at risk of homelessness.  

We’ve been running the vet scheme for over 30 years and since 2003 we have funded over 33,000 treatments for more than 11,500 dogs, ranging from preventative treatment like neutering and flea and worm treatment, to emergency surgery, injuries from road traffic accidents, as well as supporting with long-term conditions like arthritis and skin allergies. 

We know from speaking to our clients what a difference increasing dog-friendly services makes to them. Mandy told us how she was offered accommodation that wasn’t dog-friendly and was told to rehome her dog, Champion (names changed). This wasn’t something she could ever consider doing, particularly after the trauma she had already experienced.  

“I don’t understand how they can just tell you to get rid of your family. I wonder how people would feel if they were in the same situation,” said Mandy and her dog Champion.

Through our work with Together Through Homelessness and our 21 rehoming centres around the country, it’s clear to see the human-animal bond is profound and can sometimes feel difficult to truly describe, but it’s certainly easy to see. For many of us, our dog is the one reliable friend and companion that provides unconditional love, and maintaining these relationships, through even the most difficult of times, provides a sense of purpose and helps to reduce feelings of isolation. 

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The sense of responsibility and the routine needed to care for a four-legged friend can be paramount for well-being. Dog ownership can also be a motivator for recovery by encouraging routine and physical activity, improving mental health, and reducing stress.  

Another client, Ben, told us about what his dog Blue means to him. For 14 years prior to accessing support, Ben was sofa surfing and sleeping in his car. After overcoming a long period of drug misuse, he began volunteering at a local charity and managed to access support from a temporary accommodation service.  

Ben had grown up around dogs and it quickly became clear to the service that he was an animal lover, leading to the accommodation allowing Ben to get a dog, Blue. 

Blue’s presence in the accommodation not only had a positive and lasting impact on the service, its residents and staff, but, for Ben, Blue’s arrival gave him stability and a reason to get up in the morning.  

For many dog owners experiencing homelessness, they will have experienced trauma and loss in their lives. Adopting a dog-friendly approach can really support services to provide person-centred and trauma-informed approaches. 

Together Through Homelessness is so important, not only to open options for those experiencing homelessness, but also to support those doing valuable work in homelessness services.  

Our endorsement scheme shares a wealth of knowledge and resources with staff, as well as starter packs of doggie items, which helps services to feel more confident to welcome dogs and allows them to advertise as a confident dog-friendly service. 

Rickie* and Tallulah* said: “[Your vet scheme] basically saved her life, I’m just managing in general, but I don’t know how I would have covered her vet bills, and especially as she’s an older girl, it’s been great to know the vet scheme is there for her.” 

This World Homeless Day, we should remember that no one should have to face homelessness alone, especially not without their closest companion. 

By working together, we can ensure more owners and dogs can stay together to preserve human animal bonds in a compassionate and understanding way, to avoid unnecessary separation. 

James Hickman is head of outreach projects at Dogs Trust.

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