StreetVet

StreetVet was born in 2016, inspired by the incredible bond between a homeless man and his dog! Victims of the UK homelessness epidemic often have scant support, except for, in a growing number of cases, the companionship of their pets. Many have had their pets since before experiencing homelessness. Others had the responsibility of pet ownership thrust upon them. Irrespective, the bond between many homeless people and their pets is profound, such that their animals wellbeing is a life-shaping priority. Our ever-increasing number of volunteers help, by outreaching nationally in 24 locations across the UK providing free accessible fundamental vet care and services. StreetVet volunteer vets and nurses, work alongside other organisations and homelessness service providers, and operate in multiple communities across the UK weekly. Since inception, we have helped care for more than 2,800 pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, bearded dragons, other small furies and a tortoise too! We take the practice to the pavement, anything that can be done in a consulting room our team of volunteer vets and veterinary nurses do on the streets. We vaccinate, microchip, treat for fleas and protect against lungworm, we prescribed pain relief and help fight infections, we take blood, test urine and sample lumps, and importantly sometimes we just sit and listen. Currently, many people experiencing homelessness face the impossible choice between a roof over their heads or giving up their best friend. The StreetVet Accredited Hostel Scheme launched in 2020 and offers support for hostels and temporary accommodation providers to adopt and implement positive pet policies. Benefits of the scheme include free vet care & pet essentials for registered pets, staff training on how to work with animals, comprehensive temporary accommodation pet policy, telemedicine platform for virtual vet appointments, emergency boarding to allow those to attend medical appointments as needed, behavioural support.