People can suffer abuse while they are homeless. They can be spat at. Screamed at. Left alone in the cold, too scared to sleep. 

A pet can often feel like the only companion for someone sleeping on the streets. They provide solace and comfort during what can be an extremely difficult time. Forced to choose between shelter and their pet, many risk sleeping rough in dangerous conditions rather than being separated.

Here at St Mungo's we recognise the powerful emotional support a pet can provide. That's why we are one of the only charities to accept pets in our hostels. 

By giving to St Mungo's you can help save two lives. 

dog

Enza and Lily

I wouldn’t get rid of Lilly for anyone; she’s like a kid to me. I’ve had her since she was born and I feel safe with her.

Living in a tent in a park for two years, Enza struggled to find somewhere suitable to stay because a lot of hostels don’t allow dogs.

St Mungo’s offered her a place in their women’s only, dog friendly hostel, and helped her find a home in partnership with Housing First.

Read their story
Image: Treacle and Paul

Paul and Treacle

When I was selling the Big Issue, someone offered me £1000 for Treacle but I wouldn’t take it. You could write me a blank cheque and I still wouldn’t take it. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened
to me.

Paul and Treacle have been living together in a St Mungo’s hostel for over four years now.

For Paul, having his dog Treacle while living on the streets was one of the few things that kept him going.

Looking after Treacle helped him to feel grounded, gave him a purpose and provided protection. They saved each other.

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Rah and Harvey

Harvey provides me with stability. She knows when I'm sad and I know she's always there

Rah and Harvey are best friends- they've been through thick and thin together.

For Rah, being separated from Harvey when they were homeless was an absolute non-negotiable. This meant finding a hostel they could both stay was hard. 

But luckily St Mungo's provided them with a home where they were both welcome. Now Harvey is the honorary 'resident' cat and is loved by all the residents there.

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Image Justin and Gunner

Justin and Gunner

I look forward to every time I see my dog. I was there when he was born. I watched him be born. He was the one. It’s nice to have someone there with you. It gives you the reason to go and do something, to get out and about.

Justin became homeless after both his parents died. He had no-one to turn to. But that changed when he met his dog Gunner.

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Image: Susan and Lady

Susan and Lady

It’s not so scary when you have someone else with you, [someone] you feel safe with. She got my heart straight away. When I haven’t got her I’m lost without her. I couldn’t imagine life without her.

Susan, who lives in one of our hostels in London with her dog Lady, talks about how Lady helps combat loneliness and gives her a sense of purpose. 

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Image: JB and Navrose

JB and Navrose

One winter they offered me a place and within 24 hours we were inside, together in the warm. If it wasn’t for St Mungo’s we would still be on the streets.

JB and his dog Navrose were homeless for 20 years. Most homelessness services don’t accept dogs, which made it difficult for JB to get the help he needed. 

In 20 years of being homeless St Mungo’s was the first hostel to accept both me JB Navrose.

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Your gift will help to transform the lives of people experiencing homelessness. People with mental and physical health needs. People on the road to recovery. You can help give them a gift of hope for the future.

Together we can help end homelessness

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10,267 people were helped by our outreach teams in 2020-21

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We supported 3,460 people into independent housing in 2020-21