We launched StreetVet in Gloucester in March 2019. The team is made up of over 20 vet and vet nurse volunteers, working in close partnership with Gloucester City Mission (who do loads to help people in the homeless community here). As well as the 24/7 provision that we always offer for emergencies (many thanks to Wood Vet group and SPA Vets, who support us in that and with procedures that can’t be done on the streets, like neutering and lump removals), we also have a weekly drop-in clinic and do regular outreaches on the streets of Gloucester. In that way, we maximise the chances that our clients know where to find us when they need help, as well as us finding newly homeless pet owners on the streets.
We’ve been able to provide many of our patients with essential food, collars, leads, coats, flea/worm prevention, vaccinations, poo bags and portable bowls, etc… Also, we’ve treated all sorts of veterinary problems from skin disease to lameness, lump removals to gastrointestinal disease, and conjunctivitis to anal gland abscesses!
We are lucky to have the support of Wood Veterinary Centre, SPA Vets, CAS Vets, Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Teckels Animal Sanctuaries and Noah’s Ark Pet Care. This support has been crucial in helping animals get the care they need, when they need it, as well as getting pets somewhere safe to stay when clients need hospital admissions.
We are constantly learning about the many needs within the homeless community here, and the team are committed to helping in any way we can for both owners and their pets.
We are delighted to have been able to help several of our clients to access local hostels and other temporary accommodations WITH their pets, rather than continuing to sleep rough.
We network with local homeless charities and agencies, with whom we advocate for our humans. It is our dream that one day no one should have to choose between giving up their pet to take up a place in temporary accommodation or sleeping rough to remain with their pet.
Thank you for all your support so far.
Support us locally
If you would like to support this StreetVet team specifically, please take a look at our Amazon wishlist, which we update with items our clients need to secure the everyday needs of their pets.
Volunteer with us
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with StreetVet. Our Volunteer recruitment is currently on hold whilst we update our systems. Please check back in a few weeks for more information.
