Keeping Pets and People Together
June 25, 2026
Across the sector, we know how important pets are to the people we support. Pets can be loyal companions when everything else feels unstable. Unfortunately, we also know how few providers accept pets, and that this can be the difference between somebody choosing to come in for the night, or continuing to sleep rough with their pet.
A new strategy to keep people and pets together
Research has shown that fewer than 7% of homeless pet owners would give up their dog in exchange for housing, yet only 10% of all UK hostel projects currently accept pets – the main reasons being
- a lack of staff knowledge and training
- health and safety concerns
- pet welfare responsibility concerns
This new strategy is aiming to shift from compliance-based acceptance of pets, to a strengths-based perspective recognising the value that pets have in the lives of people we support.
The initial scoping led by IMPACT was based in North West England, and was supported by a number of host organisations including Street Paws, StreetVet, Dogs Trust (Together Through Homelessness), Vets in the Community, and Newcastle University before the strategy was co-designed with people with lived experience, providers and commissioners of homelessness accommodation and animal welfare organisations.
People with lived experience repeatedly shared how they would “not be here without my pet,” highlighting the profound emotional and practical support their animals provide. Providers who were already pet-inclusive described how their initial concerns about allowing pets did not materialise, particularly when they had support from a pet charity offering staff training, help with policy development, and guidance for individuals on meeting their pet’s needs.
What can we do in the sector to support people with pets?
StreetVet addresses barriers within the homeless sector through its Accredited Hostel & Day Centre Scheme, which supports hostels, day centres and other homelessness services to become pet‑inclusive facilities via bespoke staff training, tailored pet policies, and practical support such as free veterinary care, emergency boarding, food and pet supplies. This helps people avoid being separated from their pets in order to access accommodation and the support they need.
Housing Justice have recently developed our Quality Mark criteria to include a review of a project’s Pet Inclusion Policy. This shift will enable us to recognise and share best practice, and hopefully increase the pet-inclusive provision within our network. We know that people’s lives and relationships don’t just end when they become homeless, and that includes their relationships with their pets. We understand that it is not always possible for pets to join people in their accommodation, so we look forward to reading the strategy and seeing what other solutions we can support projects to explore.
Join the conversation at IMPACT’s strategy launch:
- Keeping Pets and People Together: A Strategy for Pet-Inclusive Homelessness Accommodation and Support📅 Tuesday 14th July ⏰ 12-1:30📍Online Register Here
