Purina has announced a programme of support for UK charity StreetVet which is facing unprecedented demand for its services. In addition to winning over £70,000 of funding with the Purina Better with Pets prize in 2021 and again in 2023, StreetVet’s clients will also be benefiting from therapeutic and maintenance petfood provided free of charge by Purina and there is additional funding for some new projects during 2024.
StreetVet supports people and their pets experiencing homelessness across Britain, providing essential veterinary care and services to those otherwise unable to access them. Co-founder, Jade Statt, recently highlighted that demand for StreetVet services had increased by over 300% which she attributes to challenges around cost of living and other economic factors.
In a recent podcast discussion with Libby Sheridan Veterinary Scientific Affairs Manager at Purina Petcare, Jade admitted that the charity is now helping people who never imagined they would have become homeless, “What many people forget is that those experiencing homelessness have often owned the pet prior to becoming homeless and the pet is a link to a happier time in their lives. By keeping their pet, they often cannot get access to hostel accommodation, as less than 10%1 accept pets and rejecting a hostel place on this basis often means they are considered to be ‘voluntarily or intentionally homeless’. In turn that means they often can’t access healthcare, benefits, or other programmes available in the hostel environment.”
Harriet Morley, Purina’s Specialist Channel Director for the Northern Region says her team has been moved to hear the stories of people StreetVet has been able to help, “Homelessness in the UK has risen by 14% in the last year2, and we consider it a privilege to be able to work with StreetVet to help keep people and their much loved pets together under the most testing conditions.”
StreetVet has won Purina’s Better with Pets prize twice, receiving over £70,000 of funding. The prize was established in 2018 and aims to fund organisations that create positive change through the power of the pet-human bond. They first won the award in 2021 to help establish the Accredited Hostel Scheme, enabling more hostels to become pet-friendly. The 2023 prize was awarded to support the charity’s veterinary services in the face of demand.
Jade has also been highlighting that the Better with Pets prize provides a structured mentoring and networking programme which helps founders to grow and develop their charity, “As part of the programme you get a mentor and take part in group sessions, which helps you to take a different perspective and think strategically about the decisions you want to make moving forwards.”
As well as still talking to her programme mentor, Jade was able to connect with charity founders around the world and, as a result, StreetVet is now being approached by many of them to discuss whether a similar scheme could work in their countries, with the potential to bring about positive change internationally.
Harriet explains that this is a key part of the Better with Pets programme, which is really valued by start up and growing charities and reflects Purina’s commitment, not just to supporting short term needs, but also bringing about lasting change for the benefit of all.
During the podcast, Libby and Jade discussed how veterinary professionals who volunteer with StreetVet benefit from doing so. Jade said, “Volunteering and giving back is incredibly gratifying but it’s more than that…you’re able to just be a vet or a nurse helping a pet and their human. People tell us it helps them remember why they wanted to do the job in the first place.”
Purina’s Libby Sheridan has commented on how much she appreciates working with StreetVet, “This initiative makes such a difference to the lives of people and pets and is also such an inspiring example of the compassionate care offered by the veterinary profession. We’re so proud to be able to support Jade and the fantastic StreetVet team.”
The podcast can be heard at https://open.spotify.com/episode/44O5ax83xay3Ht8l02MJPf or watch the video of the podcast at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTmCqx1eoX0&feature=youtu.be
Key messages on the podcast
2.22 Jade talks about the impact of pet ownership on those experiencing homelessness.
7.53 Discussion of the challenges of feeding and nutrition for the pets supported by StreetVet.
13.09 How pets can be helped and details of two cases that are being managed by StreetVet, including a diabetic dog.
17.01 How Purina and StreetVet are working together.
22.07 Benefits to veterinary professionals who volunteer with StreetVet.
References
- Dog’s Trust Hope Project and Homeless Link Statistic.
- Shelter, 2023. https://england.shelter.org.uk/media/press_release/at_least_309000_people_homeless_in_england_today.
Press contact: Susan McKay, Companion Consultancy, Email: susan@companionconsultancy.com
ABOUT PURINA PETCARE UK
The bond between pets and people is truly unique. Built on shared companionship, experiences and love, it inspires our belief that when people and pets bond, life becomes richer. That’s why we’ve been developing great tasting, life-enhancing food for cats and dogs of all ages and lifestyles for over 125 years.
Our portfolio of much-loved brands touches millions of lives every day. By offering a wide range of prices and nutritional quality – from good to exceptional – we make sure that complete and balanced nutrition is available to everyone.
As pet lovers and owners ourselves, we know how quality nutrition can help pets and their owners live happier, healthier and longer lives together. Creating richer lives for pets and the people who love them is what we do best and why we exist.
Pets and people are better together.
For more information, visit the Purina website: www.purina.co.uk
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About StreetVet
StreetVet is an award-winning national charity offering free accessible vet care and services topets belonging to those experiencing homelessness. A chance meeting with a homeless gentleman and his dog inspired co-founder Jade to take vet care out onto the streets to the people and pets that need it most. What started in 2016 as 2 vets, Jade Statt and co-founder Sam Joseph and a backpack full of veterinary supplies, is now a charity fuelled by over 500 vet and vet nurse volunteers who swap the practice for the pavement in 23 locations across the UKfrom Glasgow to Cornwall and growing.
StreetVet recognises and champions the importance of the human-animal bond and since inception has treated over 2,500 pets. In discovering that less than 10 %2 of UK hostels are pet friendly, the StreetVet Accredited Hostel Scheme was launched in 2020 to make it as easy as possible for hostels to say yes to pets and prioritise keeping owners and their beloved pets together.
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 offers support for hostels and temporary accommodation providers to adopt and implement positive pet policies. Benefits of the scheme include free accessible veterinary care to 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, as well as a welcome pack, food, toys and treats for all registered pets.
For more information, please visit www.streetvet.org.uk
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