England alone has around 270,000 people registered homeless. Most people do not choose to live on the streets as it’s cold, boring and scary. Most people find themselves homeless due to family problems, mental health issues or falling behind with the rent/mortgage.
Homeless people do qualify for benefits. Councils and shelters can download a free SWEP toolkit to create a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol to set up accommodation for winter (this includes dogs who live with rough sleepers – the best way to help is to find dog-friendly accommodation for human guardians).
Greater Change goes beyond giving money: notify StreetLink of rough sleepers then local charities find them to help with benefits, services and accommodation. Billy Chip credits local shops with cost to sell chips that let homeless people redeem for a hot drink or food.
It’s heartbreaking to see dogs living with rough sleepers. Most homeless people spend first benefits on dog food. Dogs on the Streets offers free vet care and always needs volunteers (help by purchasing Christmas cards from Dotty Dog Art). Similar organisations are StreetVet (also fosters dogs if guardians need to visit hospital) and Street Paws (runs first aid training for hostels).
Dog’s Trust Hope Project offers free vet care with participating vets and support to find dog-friendly hostels (it also helps sofa-surfers or those at risk of eviction). A similar charity in the US is Pets of the Homeless. The organisation Project Street Vet can also help.
WE Care Worldwide (Sri Lanka) helps street dogs (more likewild dogs) with vaccinations, vet treatment and community education – buy cotton t-shirts to support them. In Delhi, locals have created a waterproof dog bed for street dogs that combines recycled dog food bags with jute cover and reflective piping, for safety.
