Dog owners in Wales facing homelessness given festive cheer

Dog owners who are facing homelessness this Christmas across Wales are being given some festive cheer.

Charities are working with the Dogs Trust, through their Together Through Homelessness campaign, to help provide free vet care, coats, leads and collars as there's increased demand for support.

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.

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.

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