We believe that owning a dog should NOT be a barrier to accessing services and accommodation for rough sleepers.
Currently less than 10% of hostels Nationally will accept dogs we are working hard to form partnerships and offer support for accommodation providers to become more pet friendly. This will enable a homeless person to gain access to the service and keep their dog with them.
Street Paws Dog Champions scheme is proud provide free of charge:
As part of the Leeds Homeless Charter, in 2019 we supported Turning Lives Around to install a double kennel into a hostel in Leeds. Street Paws supported with the design and with staff training and guidance.
In September 2019, we were proud to fund and install our very first 4 kennels into SPIN - Supporting People in Need in Manchester. The kennels are sited within the Hostel secure grounds with direct access from a 4 bed dormitory specifically for residents with dogs on site.
In February 2020 we funded and installed 2 kennels into NTAS (Northumberland Temporary Accommodation Service) at Changing Lives in Northumberland.
In October 2020 we funded and installed 2 kennels into Hawthorne House in Newcastle - with Home Group.
We gathered pace in 2020 and expanded across Manchester and Leeds into a further 5 accommodation providers including Manchester and Leeds City Councils winter/COVID homeless accommodations. The new partnerships are pet friendly and allow dogs inside.
We hope that many more local authorities and accommodation providers will view the Dog Champions Scheme as a positive step to removing the barriers against homelessness and dog ownership.
We are expanding rapidly and we hope to work in all our outreach areas to provide this vital life saving service. If you are a local authority or provider who would like our support please contact us info@streetpawscharity.co.uk
Sponsor a Street Paws Dog Kennel.
Sign up to donate £10 per month and you will receive: