The Salvation Army’s Charter Row Social Services Centre in Sheffield pilots new dog policy backed by national dog welfare charity Dogs Trust

The Salvation Army’s social services centres across the United Kingdom are well known for providing homeless people with safe and quality accommodation until they are helped to find a permanent home of their own. Now the service is being extended to dogs at the International Christian church and charity’s Charter Row centre for the homeless in Sheffield.

Stephen Burnell, centre manager at Charter Row, was approached by Dogs Trust, the country’s largest dog welfare charity as they were concerned that there were no homeless hostels in Sheffield that would allow dogs.

Stephen, who is an avid dog lover and has a pet Labrador, was only too pleased to reassess Charter Row’s dog policy to see if it could allow a maximum of two residents to have their dogs with them at the hostel.

Stephen said: “To many people, not just homeless people, a dog is their best friend and being separated from their pet can be very traumatic. If you are homeless and have a dog, you might not seek temporary shelter in a hostel if you know you are going to have to give up your pet. Dogs Trust tells us that in many areas, where there are no dog friendly hostels available, homeless people are forced to sleep on the streets - they have no choice.

Stephen says the pilot scheme will initially last for six months. Before a dog is accepted at Charter Row it is given a full medical and behavioural assessment. Where necessary the dog is neutered and vaccinated. No aggressive dogs are taken and the centre will provide special indoor dog kennels so canines can sleep in their companion’s room.

Clare Kivlehan, Dogs Trust Hope Project Manager added: “We set up the Hope Project in 1994 to help dogs whose owners are homeless or facing housing crisis. We know from experience that homeless people care deeply for their dogs, look after them well and very often see them as their only real companion. At such a difficult time they are a source of comfort and a real responsibility. We offer free advice and assistance to hostels, shelters and day centres on welcoming dogs so that their owners are not forced to make a decision between accommodation and keeping their pet.”

While Charter Row is only accepting two dogs at a time, any homeless person with a dog can pop into Charter Row and be placed on the waiting list for a room that allows their pet dog. Furthermore, any homeless person who visits Charter Row can apply for free veterinary treatment through the Dogs Trust’s Veterinary Entitlement Card scheme.

Stephen added: “This is all part of our social inclusion work and drive to give everyone a full support package that aims to help people find permanent homes of their own one day.”

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