A BOURNEMOUTH charity is celebrating after its collaboration with Dogs Trust.
Michael House has graciously adapted two of their rooms to be compatible to live with four legged friends, thanks to a collaboration with Dog’s Trust.
Michael House runs a charitable mixed gender hostel and support services in Bournemouth for people experiencing homelessness in Dorset.
In a recent survey of professionals supporting those experiencing homelessness, 70 per cent told Dogs Trust that their clients had experienced barriers for accessing homelessness services because they have a dog.
Furthermore, 84 per cent were aware of one or more cases where someone had refused an offer of temporary or emergency accommodation as it would have meant giving up their dog.
Mark Horsford, chief executive of Michael House says: “We are passionate about providing pet-friendly accommodation and removing the unnecessary barriers that can keep people from accessing a safe place to stay. So much so, we’ve recently introduced pet-friendly bedrooms.”
A Bournemouth resident occupying the pet friendly room with their two dogs, a French and American bulldog expressed their gratitude for Michaels House, saying: “It’s a great environment, the dogs love it, Michaels House have done all they can to help me.”
Abigail Owens, Pets, and Housing Regional Engagement Coordinator at Dogs Trust said: “Michael House is clearly a welcoming and friendly service and has been designed with dogs in mind.
“For most dog owners, being separated from their dog is no different from being separated from a family member.
“We don’t think anyone should have to choose between a bed or their faithful friend, and we work with many homelessness services, to successfully offer dog-friendly accommodation.
“It’s incredibly important that pet-friendly housing is available at every step of someone’s housing pathway, and we’re keen to work with as many homelessness services as possible so that we can help keep people and their pets together.”
Dog’s Trust will also provide free veterinary services to dogs whose owners are at risk of becoming homeless as well as a Christmas parcel service where the charity sends out dog goodies to homelessness services across the country that support dog owners.
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