Scheme aims to improve 'pet inclusive' support

Animal charities are teaming up to provide vet care to pets belonging to homeless people in the UK.

Battersea said the alliance with StreetVet will transform the lives of humans and their animal companions across the country.

Funded by a Battersea grant, the project’s aim is to provide direct support to thousands of pet dogs, cats and other pets with preventative, routine and emergency medical vet care over the next five years.

A Battersea spokesperson said an estimated 300,000 people in the UK experience homelessness, 10%-25% of whom own a pet, meaning the strategic partnership will play a vital role in supporting those affected from Scotland to Cornwall.

StreetVet, with Battersea’s support, will expand its volunteering outreach programme to deliver free veterinary care to pets and people experiencing homelessness including those who sleep rough or outside, in temporary accommodation, as well as those living in insecure housing such as staying with friends and 'sofa surfing', or those applying for and receiving support from their local authority.

There are currently more than 300 vets and veterinary nurses volunteering at 23 existing StreetVet locations across the UK, providing free food, pet essentials, and veterinary check-ups and preventative treatment as well as building trust and providing reassurance to owners.

The StreetVet and Battersea alliance will work towards setting up further outreaches in new locations, almost doubling available support.

Peter Laurie, Battersea chief executive, said: "With ongoing cost of living challenges and tragically high levels of homelessness in this country, we’re proud to be launching this alliance with StreetVet to expand their vital services.

"By working together many more pets and people experiencing homelessness will be able to access essential veterinary care and life-changing support, and in doing so we’ll be helping to preserve the incredibly special human-animal bond."

Zoe Abbotts, StreetVet chief executive, said: "We are thrilled to announce the new alliance between StreetVet and Battersea.

"This alliance opens up exciting opportunities for us to work together in supporting more pets and their owners experiencing homelessness across the UK.

"The alliance will enable StreetVet to extend our reach to more locations, something we have been unable to achieve until now due to limited resources.
We recognise the nationwide demand for our vital support and are committed to expanding our services to meet this need.
In these challenging times, our mission to keep pets healthy, happy and by their owner's side is more crucial than ever."

Jade Statt, StreetVet co-founder and clinical director, said: "Battersea has been part of the StreetVet story from the very beginning, and I am excited to see the next chapter of that story unfold.

"This alliance will level up the special relationship between StreetVet and Battersea and provide important new opportunities for us to reach more pets and their owners experiencing homelessness and deliver the essential care they need and deserve."

It’s not the first time the two charities have worked together, with Battersea funding the growth of the StreetVet Accredited Hostel Scheme, which trains and supports hostels and temporary accommodation providers to become pet inclusive.

StreetVet and Battersea also commissioned a Homeless Link report in 2024 exploring pets and homelessness in the UK.

The report found that of 960 homelessness accommodation-based services listed in the Homeless England database, only 21% said they accept dogs.

No information was available for other pets.

Estimates of pet ownership among those experiencing homelessness in England suggest 10-25% of homelessness service users have pets.

With less than 10% of homeless hostels in the UK accepting pets, introducing a pet inclusive initiative helps more people and pets stay together.