Charities will provide vital services to vulnerable people and animals
For the twelfth consecutive year, animal welfare charity Mayhew, and Crisis, the national homelessness charity, are working together this Christmas to provide support across the UK to people and animals affected by homelessness.
Mayhew will be providing kennels at one of Crisis’ Christmas centres, offering health checks, food, jackets and collars to dogs while their owners receive warm clothes, food, support and advice. Mayhew animal welfare officers will also be training Crisis volunteers across the Christmas period, ensuring that everyone is comfortable and informed in how best to interact with the dogs and dog owners.
Dogs can provide companionship and comfort for people who don’t have a place to call home, and the support that Mayhew and Crisis provide ensures that both dog and owner are kept safe and warm at this time of year.
CEO of Mayhew, Caroline Yates says: “Homelessness is devastating, and we know that the expense of pet food and vet care puts an extra burden on people already in a vulnerable position…We believe that helping people and helping animals comes hand in hand, and we are therefore thrilled to have joined forces with Crisis yet again. Together, we can help keep homeless people and their beloved pets warm and well looked after this Christmas.”
In addition to working directly with people and dogs experiencing homelessness in Crisis Christmas centres, Mayhew and Crisis have released a range of virtual gift cards on the Crisis website.
The gift cards, priced between £5 and £50, help to cover the costs of necessary items for homeless people and their dogs such as food and warm clothing, along with services like skills training and interview workshops for dog owners, and health checks and veterinary treatment for their pets.
Image (c) Mayhew
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
