The charity that’s helping homeless people to care for their pets

It’s hard to walk through any town without seeing homeless people who, often through no fault of their own, are living on the street.

Quite often, they are accompanied by a dog who is their only loyal companion when they have lost a roof over their head: their safety and security. 

Sadly, fewer than 10% of hostels and temporary accommodation accept dogs, forcing their homeless owner to continue to live on the street or to surrender the dog in order to be able to accept a refuge.

A charity called Street Paws is trying to change this. Its aim is to help homeless people to care for their pets and to remain with them. A team of volunteer vets and helpers provide treatment for pets who otherwise would be unlikely to be able to access it.

   (c) Street Paws 

Street Paws has also founded a growing team of 'Dog Champions' that provides accommodation for homeless dog owners. They may otherwise be rejected by hostels or emergency accommodation that doesn't accept dogs. This brilliant initiative enables dogs and owners to stay together, whilst receiving dog care advice and assistance, in a safe environment away from the street.

(c) Street Paws

Street Paws covers the cost of any treatment the dog may need, including vaccinations, to enable him or her to stay in the accommodation with their owner. Veterinary care can be very expensive, so this is a huge benefit for the homeless owner. 

A homeless man and his dog

In the winter being homeless is particularly difficult. The cold weather can make a challenging situation even worse. Street Paws is encouraging people to tell them if they see a homeless person and their dog struggling. You can find more information at https://streetpaws.co.uk/.

On Street Paws' website there's a lot more information about its fantastic work, and other ways of supporting the charity.

Those of us lucky enough to have a roof over our head and a warm bed can only imagine what it must be like to be living on the street. Cold, hungry, tired, and scared not only for yourself but for your beloved canine companion who may be your only friend.

This is why the work of Street Paws is so important, providing an essential lifeline for homeless owners and their dogs. Lets hope that it continues to receive the essential funding it needs. 

Paws on board? Dogs in cars – how to travel safely with your dog on board

Inevitably, your dog will travel in the car with you, whether you’re off on a well-earned break, or simply going out and about for a long walk somewhere. But thinking about the options for the safest way for you and your dog to travel in the car together is not a subject that all owners consider fully.

It’s important, as making sure that your dog is restrained properly is part of the Highway Code. Dogs can and do cause accidents when the driver is distracted by them in the vehicle.

Certainly there are plenty of options on the market for the dog-owning motorist. So whether it’s a dog car seat, a seatbelt and harness, or a grille that keeps them safely in the back, there’s lots to consider.

The size and strength of the dog is a key factor. Whilst some car seats may look cute and appealing, they are usually only suited to small and lightweight dogs, and may not provide enough security and protection to the dog if the vehicle were to be involved in a crash. They may not restrain a heavier or more active dog safely, putting both dog and owner at risk of injury.

Not all dog car seats have been tested in crash conditions, and of course dogs come in many shapes and sizes, so a ‘one size fits all’ product is not going to be right for many.

Moreover, owners have different views about what is the best way for their dog to travel in the car. Some owners of small dogs prefer a sturdy strap that attaches to the dog's harness and the seatbelt rather than a car seat.

A sturdy metal grille (or sometimes a crate) may give both owner and dog a sense of security, because the dog is safely contained in the back of the vehicle. These are usually used for larger dogs. However, the dog is not usually restrained within the space in the hatchback or boot, so should there be a collision he or she would be thrown around in the area or within the crate, likely causing them injury.

A safer alternative to a crate or grille is a crash crate; these have been designed not to deform during an accident, built to withstand side, front and rear impacts, with some also preventing damage caused by cars rolling. You will, of course, pay a premium for this level of protection, but you'll get much better protected from rear-end shunts and side impacts than with a normal crate.

Do consider carefully the safest and most comfortable way of securing your dog when travelling by car. It could help to save both you and your dog’s life in an accident.