Charities in Scotland are hoping to stop people that are made homeless from being forcibly split from their pets.
The rise in homelessness in Scotland has seen a generation of people in temporary homes and hotels, most of which forbid animals. With several being forced to give up their beloved pet, this can cause a risk of mental health breakdown in vulnerable people.
It's been said that some are choosing to sleep on the streets, rather than give up their animals. The Scottish SPCA has formed an alliance with homelessness charity the Simon Community, to seek to open pathways for owners to stay with their pets.
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Scottish SPCA chief executive Kirsteen Campbell said: “Our research shows 37 per cent of tenants surveyed had to make the impossible choice between a roof over their head and a beloved pet.
"It’s a choice nobody should have to make. We want to work together and intervene early, to keep pets and people together in a home and not see them end up on the streets.
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“Our two frontline teams will share knowledge and resources so we can spot the signs when someone is at risk of becoming homeless or identify someone who has pets and is struggling. This will allow us to get ahead of the problem before an animal, or person, suffers.”
Hugh Hill, deputy CEO of Simon Community Scotland, added: “We are excited to be working with the Scottish SPCA to support people to have a safe place to live and help them and their pets stay together particularly as it is often their only source of companionship, comfort, purpose and physical contact.”
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Scottish Government figures show there were more than 35,000 homeless applications in 2021/22 in Scotland, with 130,000 households (including 60,000 children) on waiting lists for social housing.
Anyone who is in need of advice or support can call the Scottish SPCA’s free animal helpline in confidence on 03000 999 999 or call Simon Community Scotland’s helplines in Edinburgh: 0808 178 2323
