Two Scottish charities have been recognised by the UK’s main canine welfare organisation for going above and past to assist maintain folks experiencing homelessness and their dogs collectively.
The Bethany Christian Trust and the Salvation Army’s Huntershill Court in Glasgow have each been endorsed below the Dogs Trust Together Through Homelessness scheme. This scheme celebrates and helps homelessness providers that present canine pleasant insurance policies. To help, the Dog Trust workforce offers bespoke assist and ongoing recommendation on all the pieces from dog-friendly insurance policies to behavior sources. It additionally offers starter packs of canine objects to assist new dogs really feel welcome at homelessness providers.
Bethany Christian Trust helps folks experiencing homelessness throughout Scotland. Its built-in method of searching for to stop homelessness, intervene in disaster and maintain folks in their very own properties helps round 7,000 folks throughout Scotland yearly. One of its providers in Edinburgh, the Rapid Re-accommodation Welcome Centre, offers emergency lodging between October and May annually, and welcomes dogs. This means house owners experiencing homelessness within the metropolis don’t have to be separated from their canine companions.
Meanwhile, Huntershill Court, managed by the Salvation Army in Glasgow, has additionally been endorsed below the Dogs Trust scheme. Huntershill Court offers emergency lodging within the metropolis in 14 flats in single occupancy flats. Its supervisor had beforehand run one other service which had labored with Dogs Trust and noticed first-hand how profitable it the endorsement had been, and the way essential dogs have been to the service customers.
These two endorsements are nice information for these canine house owners experiencing homelessness in Scotland. In a recent survey of pros supporting these experiencing homelessness, 70% instructed Dogs Trust that their purchasers had skilled boundaries for accessing homelessness providers as a result of they’ve a canine.
Further to this, 84% have been conscious of a number of instances the place somebody had refused a suggestion of short-term or emergency lodging as it will have meant giving up their canine. Just 51% of the homelessness providers that responded to the Dogs Trust survey mentioned that their providers have been dog-friendly.
Dogs Trust’s Together Through Homelessness mission additionally offers free veterinary therapy to dogs whose house owners are experiencing or prone to homelessness, the availability of a web based listing of dog-friendly homelessness providers within the UK, and a Christmas parcel service, the place the charity sends out canine goodies to homelessness providers throughout the nation that assist canine house owners.
Eleanor McLachlan from Bethany Christian Trust, mentioned: “It has been a great privilege for us to support individuals and their dogs out of rough sleeping and into their own rooms at the Rapid Re-accommodation Welcome Centre. Dogs Trust’s free support, advice and vet care has been invaluable. Thank you for enabling us to welcome and care for those who are struggling with homelessness during the winter months!’’
Gerry Young from the Salvation Army, added: “We’re pleased to be able to support this initiative from Dogs Trust. For many people who are homeless, a dog is their lifeline and companion. The bond between them is well documented and provides many positive mental and physical benefits. They shouldn’t be forced to choose between having a safe place to sleep or staying with their pet. Making dogs welcome here is something we value.”
Abigail Owens from Dogs Trust’s Together Through Homelessness mission, commented: “It’s great news that these two homelessness services in Scotland are providing dog friendly services for people experiencing homelessness. It’s already having a positive impact on the people accessing these services, and it is a great example of how being dog-friendly can be achieved in a safe, responsible, and homely way.
“For most dog owners, being separated from their dog is no different from being separated from a family member. Many dog owners experiencing homelessness are forced to make the heartbreaking decision to give up their beloved pets just so they can access the services they need.
“We don’t think anyone should have to choose between these essential services and their faithful friend, and which is why we work with providers to successfully offer dog-friendly support.”
