Advertisement
Housing

Animal charity The Mayhew Animal Home offers refuge to homeless dogs

The rescue charity is now running a “pet refuge” scheme to support homeless pet owners with no other option of help

A leading animal welfare charity is offering support to homeless dog owners facing personal crises.

The Mayhew Animal Home has a “pet refuge” scheme for anyone struggling to provide care for their dog temporarily, whether through illness, hospitalisation, addiction detox, or an unexpected move to another part of the country.

It’s an extension of the charity’s outreach work on the streets of London, as the Mayhew’s welfare officers give free health check-ups to the canine companions of rough sleepers.

We are referred to as animal social workers because we are able to help and support vulnerable people in need

“In this job you deal with a lot of situations where the owner is going through a hard time and just needs some support and advice to help them with their animal,” the Mayhew’s head of animal welfare Zoe Edwards explained.

The refuge scheme involves welfare officers finding the best possible foster carer for the dog during a period of crisis. And although separation can be painful, the charity insists it is done in the best interests of both animal and owner.

“We are often referred to as animal social workers because we are able to help and support vulnerable people in need with their animals – and ultimately keep the owner and animal together,” said Edwards.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The charity’s welfare officers make regular visits to 15 homeless centres in the capital, providing collars with tags and leads, jackets in the winter months, food, treats and poo bags. They also offer neutering and vaccinations at the Community Vet Clinic in Kensal Green.

A dog is often a homeless person’s only companion and they create this incredible bond

The Mayhew Animal Home is celebrating its 17th anniversary of its outreach work with homeless people this month.

One of the Mayhew’s animal welfare officer, Tania Mazzoni, said: “A dog is often a homeless person’s only companion and they create this incredible bond. We strive to tackle the companion animal welfare crisis from every possible angle.”

If you are interested in fostering an animal through the Mayhew’s pet refuge scheme, please contact 0208 962 8000 or info@mayhewanimalhome.org

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
Ending post-Grenfell cladding crisis could take until 2035 and beyond: 'Unacceptably slow'
Grenfell tower
Cladding crisis

Ending post-Grenfell cladding crisis could take until 2035 and beyond: 'Unacceptably slow'

We've given 50,000 haircuts to homeless people – here's how a simple trim can change everything
Photo of man hugging a woman to illustrate a story about the Haircuts 4 Homeless charity
Homelessness

We've given 50,000 haircuts to homeless people – here's how a simple trim can change everything

Cash-strapped council warns it's at breaking point as neighbour places homeless people in its town
homeless peoples' tents in street
Homelessness

Cash-strapped council warns it's at breaking point as neighbour places homeless people in its town

Homeless families occupy council housing offices on Halloween in plea to fix 'houses of horror'
Homeless families at a protest about council housing
Homelessness

Homeless families occupy council housing offices on Halloween in plea to fix 'houses of horror'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue