Dogs Trust joins the Homeless Link Conference

The charity Dogs Trust will be participating at the Homeless Link Annual Conference called the Power to Change (4-6 July). Their aim is to highlight a scheme for homeless people who own dogs to have access to free preventative care like vaccinations, micro-chipping, neutering, worming and flea treatment . The free veterinary care scheme is called Hope Project Veterinary Entitlement Card Scheme.

Research by the Dogs Trust shows that many homeless people who have dogs are refused housing because of the fact that they have a dog. The results show that out of all the hostel providers 86 per cent would not admit those with dogs.

The charity have a produced a pack called Welcoming Dogs for hostels, shelters and day centres to enable them accept dogs but to have a dog policy before they do so. The pack will also show case studies of hostels that have a policy allowing pets .

The scheme, as well as providing basic health care for dogs, also covers other treatment up to the value of £250. This is available under the Veterinary Entitlement Card. The card can be applied for through homeless organisations participating in the scheme. There are 30 towns and cities across the UK that participates in the scheme. Other homeless organisations who want to be a part of the scheme can register enabling them to make applications for their clients online. Clare Kivlehan, Dogs Trust Outreach Projects Manager said, "Exhibiting at the annual Homeless Link conference will be a great opportunity for us to discuss the benefits of accepting dogs with those working in the homelessness sector and to make people aware of the important role pets often play in their clients' lives."

Any organisation or project who has clients with dogs can contact the Dogs Trust if they want to join the Veterinary Entitlement Card Scheme.

Further information about the project and the Welcome Dogs pack can be obtained from dogstrusthopeproject.org.uk.