Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep at night - and that includes the thousands of stray dogs left on the streets when hostels are unable to take them in.
A new charitable dog initiative has been launched nationwide to try and tackle this huge problem, and break down the barriers of street homelessness.
Animal charities Street Paws and Dogs On The Streets have teamed up with national housing association Riverside, to provide support through their Dog Champions scheme.
The Dog Champions scheme aims to enable rough sleepers to bring their canine companions into supported accommodation with them at night.
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The pioneering scheme has recently proven successful in Whalley Range, Manchester, when the owner of a 15-year-old Westie, who was sadly in ill health, was able to say goodbye to her pet properly.
Claudia Ludovice, Riverside service manager in Manchester, said: "The Westie’s owner was going through a very challenging time as she had lost her job, and we found her a ground floor flat.
"The dog was very old and ill, and sadly, she had to be put down. Because of Street Paws and the Dog Champions Scheme, the support was amazing.
"They even arranged cremation and the ashes were delivered to the service.
"They made a horrible situation bearable."
The Dog Champions Scheme equips hostel staff with the essential skills they need to ensure a safe place for residents and their pets.
This includes accredited training, a canine first aid kit, advice on pet policies, owner agreements, a welcome pack of pet essential for residents, Street Paws patient registration and full veterinary care.
Both charities, Street Paws and Dogs On The Streets, provide free veterinary care and support services to dogs whose owners are rough sleeping.
Street Paws operates across the North of England and Dogs On The Streets covers the south.
Michelle Southern, founder of Street Paws, said: "The bond between people who are homeless and their pet is well documented and provides many positive mental and physical benefits to the owner.
"Despite this, most people who are homeless are asked to give up their pet to access accommodation.
"Street Paws charity and Riverside believe that owning a dog should not be a barrier to accessing support and a safe place to sleep.
"It is essential that as many people are able to come indoors as possible, and we believe that skilling up staff in supported accommodation and helping them to become pet friendly is a giant stepping stone."
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