Dogs Trust has partnered with homeless charity Simon Community Scotland to appoint Cat Birt in the new role of pets and housing development and engagement officer, in a bid to help homeless people find dog friendly accommodation options.
Birt, will be working with accommodation providers to highlight the benefits of the human-animal bond and the importance of keeping people and their pets together.
In the new position, she will also be developing and delivering a new regional strategy for Scotland, working with Simon Community services, as well as other organisations and housing providers across Scotland, to increase accommodation and support for homeless dog owners.
Both chairtes have jointly funded the new role in the hopes it will mean “less dog owners in Scotland have to make the difficult choice between a safe place to sleep and their beloved pet.”
Birt said: “There are so many positives and benefits to keeping people with their pets, and that’s what my role has been created to explore, progress and ultimately try and change the tale for vulnerable people and their beloved dogs.
“Over the next 12 months, I’ll be working closely with accommodation and housing providers, staff and service users on how being inclusive of dog owners and their companion dogs can have wider benefits.”
He added: “We will support these providers to welcome dogs safely and provide practical help and on-going advice on the best way to implement dog-friendly policies and practices.”
