Pets are people too

Countless charities work to help the homeless, but what about their pets?

By Shaelyn Stout

Street Vet, a charity founded in April 2017 by Jade Statt and Sam Joseph, is hitting the streets of London to comfort homeless dog owners and give their furry friends the care they need.

Operating across London and the UK, Street Vet is a network of registered vets and veterinary practices that works to provide on-site medical care for homeless dogs. While many can be treated on the street with little supplies, more serious conditions can be checked at local vet practices.

According to their website, Street Vet aims to “keep clients and their pets together wherever possible”.

Street Vet co-founder Jade Statt explains, “We are not enforcement, we are engagement.

“We have to build trust with our clients so if their dog needs care in one of our practices, they can trust we will return the animal.

“For many homeless people, their dog is all they have.”

It is a common misconception that homeless people use their pets to receive extra benefits or more compassion from the public, says The Genesis Trust, a homelessness charity based in Bath.

A survey by Dogs Trust charity found that two thirds of homeless pet owners will refuse accommodation if their dogs are not permitted to stay.

Street Vet partners with soup kitchens and homelessness charities in Hackney, Camden, Clapham and central London. Being a familiar face at places like Street Kitchen and Refugee Community Kitchen in Hackney allows Street Vet’s volunteers to make connections with and earn the trust of homeless dog owners.

If you see a homeless pet in need of medical care, Stratt encourages you to safely approach the owner and ask if there is a way Street Vet can contact them. If this is not possible, you can send an email to notify-us@streetvet.org.uk providing detailed information about the owner, dog, possible medical concerns, and location.

At this time, you must be a registered veterinarian to work with Street Vet. You can volunteer to help with fundraising and administration by contacting join-us@streetvet.org.uk.