Street Paws welcomes PM Andy Burnham’s pledge to end rough sleeping
- Hayley O'Keeffe
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
A charity supporting homeless people and their pets has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to ending rough sleeping, saying nobody should be forced to choose between a safe place to stay and their animal companion.
Mr Burnham used his first speech as Prime Minister to outline his determination to tackle homelessness after spending the morning visiting an outreach project supporting people living on the streets.
Street Paws said the pledge offered fresh hope to those experiencing homelessness with a much-loved pet by their side.
The charity, which operates in Manchester and across the North of England, provides free veterinary care and practical support to animals belonging to people who are homeless or vulnerably housed.
Its No One Left Outside campaign calls for every hostel, shelter and temporary housing provider to adopt pet-inclusive policies, ensuring that people are not denied accommodation simply because they have a dog or another companion animal.
The campaign is backed by high-profile animal lovers including Ricky Gervais and actor and campaigner Peter Egan.
Manchester, where Mr Burnham previously served as Mayor of Greater Manchester, already leads the way on pet-inclusive policies within homelessness services and shelter accommodation.
Mr Burnham has also seen the work of Street Paws first-hand across the city.
Street Paws founder Michelle Southern OBE said: “We warmly welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to ending rough sleeping and are particularly encouraged that he chose to begin his premiership by spending time with a homelessness outreach project.
“Andy Burnham understands that many people sleeping rough share an incredibly powerful bond with their pets. He has seen first hand our work across the whole of Greater Manchester in Manchester, and has seen for himself how dogs can provide companionship, security, warmth and a reason to keep going during the most difficult moments of somebody’s life.
“But too many people are still being told that they must abandon or surrender their pet before they can enter emergency accommodation. For somebody whose animal may be their only family, that is not a reasonable or compassionate choice.
“Our No One Left Outside campaign is calling for pet-inclusive support to become the norm across the country. If the Government is serious about ending rough sleeping, the needs of people with pets must be included in that strategy from the very beginning.”
Street Paws argues that pet-inclusive accommodation does not mean housing providers must accept animals without safeguards. Its campaign encourages services to introduce suitable assessments, clear policies and practical measures allowing people and their animals to remain safely together.
Animal welfare expert and parliamentary campaigner Dr Jane Washington Evans said the Prime Minister’s announcement could represent an important opportunity to recognise the role animals play in the lives of vulnerable people.
She said: “The relationship between a person experiencing homelessness and their animal companion can be profoundly important. A pet may provide emotional security, consistency and unconditional companionship at a time when almost everything else in that person’s life has become uncertain.
“Separating people from their animals can cause considerable distress to both and may discourage someone from accepting the help they urgently need. Pet-inclusive accommodation, supported by sensible welfare policies and access to veterinary care, offers a compassionate and practical way forward.
“It is extremely positive to hear the Prime Minister placing rough sleeping so high on the Government’s agenda. I hope the No One Left Outside campaign will help ensure that people with pets are fully considered as that commitment is turned into policy.”
Find out more at: https://streetpaws.org.uk/campaign
