Paws on the Street: Help Dogs of Homeless People
England has around 380,000 homeless people (including rough sleepers, sofa-surfers and people in bed-and-breakfasts). And around 10 to 25% of them have dogs. Many hostels are not dog-friendly so people sleep on the streets, to avoid leaving their dogs. And many homeless people die on the streets.
Homeless people can claim benefits, giving the address of a family member/friend, hostel or job centre. This helps to pay for food (and pet food), interview clothes and rent deposits. People without bank accounts can use the government’s Payment Exception Service to collect benefits from post offices or PayPoint outlets.
If you see someone sleeping rough, send a report to StreetLink, whose outreach teams visit rough sleepers at night, to help them register for benefits and find accommodation (if the person is under 18, call 999).
Lets with Pets (run by Dogs Trust) offers advice for tenants (referencing, higher deposits and offering end-of-tenancy deep-clean) plus a free Good Practice Handbook for Landlords.
BillyChip (can be used to buy pet food)
BillyChip is a secure ‘currency’ in the form of a chip that is bought from participating shops. It can be used to buy hot drinks for homeless people, or pet food. This enables people to help, while following council advice not to give cash (which also reduces robbery risks).
This ideas was founded in nmemory of a young paramedic who volunteered to help homeless people, after he died in a traffic acident. It’s free to join (shops are only charged for chips sold). And the welcome pack includes 25 Billy Chips, window decals and marketing materials.
Pubs and bars are not allowed to join, so chips can’t be used to buy alcohol.
In North America, Give Tokens is similar. These tokens can also be used to buy night accommodation, clothing, laundry services and even bicycles (as well as food from local street carts).
Pet food banks (for anyone in need)
England has many animal food banks (including regional ones, so look up local areas too). These are like food banks but for pets. Obviously some pets have allergies, but it’s a good idea for people who can’t afford to buy pet food:
- Animal Food Bank has over nationwide volunteers; business provide donations bins for people to drop off unopened (in-date) pet food.
- Blue Cross
- Dog’s Trust
- RSPCA.
- In Wales, Pet Food Bank service provides pet food to human food banks. It recently reached its fundraising goals to move to new premises. And now appreciate funds to help with set-up, plus safe furniture and mugs.
More help for homeless people with dogs
- Dog’s Trust Hope Project offers free vet care with participating vets (it can help with dog-friendly hostels, and those at risk of eviction).
- Dogs on the Streets (London and Manchester) offers free vet clinics, food and mobile vets.
- StreetVet offers health checks, vaccinations and emergency foster care.
- Street Paws runs outreach sessions, worming/flea treatment, microchipping and first aid training for hostels.
- Mayhew (London) offers preventative vet care (neutering, vaccinations, flea/worming treatments), food and leads/coats.
Help dogs of homeless people abroad
- Pets of the Homeless (US) offers free food and vet care (along with spay/neuter surgery, nail trimming and ear cleaning. And free crates for shelters that don’t usually allow pets.
- Project Street Vet (US) provides free vet care (exams, vaccines, flea meds and other supplies) and end-of-life services.
- Vet Outreach and City of Toronto (Canada)
- Pets in the Park and Pets of the Homeless (Australia)
- WE Care Worldwide (Sri Lanka) helps street dogs with injuries and illness (buy cotton t-shirts to support them).
- In Delhi, locals created a waterproof dog bed for street dogs that combines recycled dog food bags, with jute cover & reflective piping.
- Pets of the Homeless (Australia) offers food, vet care and shelter.
