VICTIMS of the UK homelessness epidemic are being offered support through the charity StreetVet.

It currently operates in 17 towns and cities around the UK delivering multi-award-winning veterinary practise with a difference; helping to care for the animals of the homeless.

Ros Incledon-Webber from Lewannick, Launceston is the team leader for Cornwall. Originally volunteering since 2018 with the Southampton team, Ros later moved to Cornwall in 2019 to take charge of the Cornwall teams.

Cornwall currently has 10-20 volunteer vet’s and veterinary nurses working in all areas of the county. The team hold regular monthly outreach clinics in Newquay, St Austell, Redruth, Camborne and Penzance. As well as pop-up clinics in Truro and Falmouth when the need arises. They also work with social support services and volunteer groups in the areas who provide support for the owners of the pets that they treat known as the ‘StreetVet Accredited Hostel scheme’. This scheme offers free, accessible veterinary care for pets whose owners are experiencing homelessness, as well as education and support for hostel managers and staff to adopt and implement positive pet policies.

The charity was co-founded by two young veterinary surgeons, Dr. Jade Statt and Dr. Sam Joseph, after striking up conversations with rough sleepers and their beloved pets.

Statt explains: “I met a homeless gentleman and he was just so worried. His dog had bad skin and I asked him how he was going to get it seen to. He was just helpless. I walked away thinking ‘if I had had stuff in my bag I could’ve helped that guy’.”

The charity has performed over 7,000 free consultations for pets of people with ‘no fixed abode’, delivering services such as vaccinations, microchipping, flea treatments, pain relief, surgeries, and many others. The Cornwall team actively take part in fundraising events all over Cornwall, most recently at the ‘Doggy Day Out’ hosted by Royal Cornwall Showground to raise money and spread awareness.

The next upcoming clinic will happen on January 26 at their St Austell outreach.

Further information on StreetVet can be found at: www.streetvet.org.uk, where financial donations can also be pledged.