- Dogs Trust’s Together Through Homelessness scheme is delivering gifts to homelessness services across the East Midlands.
- Every year, Dogs Trust gives gifts of collars, leads, and coats to dog owners experiencing homelessness.
- Nationally, this year’s parcels include more than 1,200 balls and 1,250 toys, adding a little extra joy for dogs spending Christmas without secure housing.
This Christmas, with increased demand for support, Dogs Trust is sending out gift parcels to homelessness services across the East Midlands, bringing festive cheer to dog owners affected by homelessness.
Each year, through Together Through Homelessness, Dogs Trust aims to bring festive cheer to the dogs of people experiencing homelessness by delivering parcels filled with collars, leads, coats and treats to homelessness services across the UK, to share with owners and their four-legged companions.
This year, more than 2,400 parcels will be delivered to 305 homelessness services across the UK, all working to support people and their pets in staying together and accessing the help they need. One of these services is Framework Housing Association, who support people experiencing homelessness across the East Midlands.
Louise Hart, the Framework Housing Association Service Manager for Lincolnshire, said: “Christmas is a difficult time for the people accessing our accommodation and support, it can often be a reminder of what they don’t have. The service users that have dogs as companions in our services don’t always have the means to be able to treat their four-legged family members. That’s why Dogs Trust providing these gifts is so important.
“The parcels offer so much more than just a nice present. They give our service users a way to say thank you to their dogs for the loyalty and companionship they have shown in harder times. It’s also a way in which they can feel a little more independent and in control of their circumstances, which is important to everyone.”
For over 30 years, Together Through Homelessness has been helping people experiencing homelessness access support for their dogs, keeping more owners and their canine companions together. Alongside sending out Christmas parcels, the charity offers free veterinary treatments for dogs whose owners are experiencing homelessness and supports homelessness services to become dog-friendly.
James Hickman, Head of Outreach Projects at Dogs Trust, said: “For many dog owners experiencing homelessness, their four-legged companion is far more than a pet – they are family. Every year, our Together Through Homelessness team delivers Christmas parcels to people without a home and their loyal dogs, and owners consistently tell us how important it is to be able to share this small moment of joy with their animals.
“As homelessness continues to rise in the UK, and as dog owners still face significant barriers to accessing pet-friendly accommodation, our work has never been more vital. No one should ever be forced to choose between their dog and somewhere safe to sleep. We’re proud to support people and their pets, especially at this time of year.”
Since Together Through Homelessness began, it has helped 93 homelessness services to become pet-friendly, enabling more owners and their dogs to access essential services, and has funded over 33,000 treatments for over 11,500 dogs whose owners are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Dogs Trust is calling on the public to support Together Through Homelessness this Christmas. Donations will help ensure that even more dogs and their owners can receive essential items and veterinary care, not only during this festive season, but throughout the year as services prepare to support people and their pets next Christmas too.
To support Dogs Trust’s Together Through Homelessness and help dogs and their owners who are experiencing homelessness, visit https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/support-us/ways-to-give/hope-donate.
