AN organisation that takes veterinary care out onto the streets to help the people and pets who need it most is VetPartners’ chosen charity of 2024.
StreetVet, which offers free veterinary care and services to pets belonging to those experiencing homelessness, is set to benefit from the kindness and generosity of everyone across the VetPartners family.
As well as raising funds for the charity, colleagues will be able to swap the practice for the pavement to volunteer for the charity at one of the 23 locations StreetVet operates around the UK.
StreetVet was the winner of a poll among everyone at VetPartners to select our 2024 charity of the year to succeed Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust.
Founded in 2016 by vets Jade Statt and Sam Joseph, StreetVet is a registered practice with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and has a dedicated team of more than 500 volunteer vets and veterinary nurses.
As 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 champions keeping owners and their pets together, offering free veterinary care to registered pets in hostels and support for hostel managers and staff to implement positive pet policies.
VetPartners CEO Jo Malone said: “Homelessness is a growing problem across the UK, and many people experiencing homelessness own a pet that may have been part of their life before they lost the roof over their head.
“As vets we know the bond between people and their pets is profound and for people experiencing homelessness, their companions can be their lifeline so their health and wellbeing is a major priority for their owners.
“Our colleagues are incredibly caring and committed to giving back to worthy causes. I think this is going to be a well-supported charity, and I can’t wait to see what kind of fundraising activities they organise.”
Fundraising by VetPartners colleagues will help to provide much-needed care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness across the UK. This includes buying medication, paying for life-saving operations, providing owners with daily essentials for their pets and equipping StreetVet teams with the kit they need when out helping pets on the streets.
StreetVet hopes to expand the number of areas they work in during 2024 so they have more vets and vet nurses on the streets to help more people and pets in need.
Jade Statt, Co-Founder and Clinical Director at StreetVet, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been chosen by the employees of VetPartners to be their charity of the year partner for 2024. The donations that we will receive from VetPartners throughout this partnership will help StreetVet continue our vital work in providing free veterinary care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness across the UK. By helping the pets, we are helping their owners too.
“Unfortunately, the need for our services continues to rise significantly, especially since the cost of living crisis. Funding is crucial in allowing us to meet this increase in demand, so all the funds raised will have a significant impact in helping us to continue the work we do.”
For media enquiries, please contact Amanda Little, VetPartners PR and Communications Director. Email amanda.little@vetpartners.co.uk
