StreetVet ‘s team of over 300 volunteer vets and vet nurses take the practice to the pavement to provide free accessible veterinary care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness across the UK, offering compassion, connection, and clinical expertise on the streets.
From health checks to heartfelt goodbyes, every outreach is different, but also a reminder of the powerful bond between humans and animals.
Written by a StreetVet Volunteer Vet
I first joined StreetVet as a volunteer in 2017, not knowing quite what to expect. Truthfully, I still don’t, because StreetVet is as dynamic and unpredictable as the community it serves. Founded by vets Jade Statt and Sam Joseph, StreetVet began with a simple but powerful mission: to provide free accessible veterinary care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness. They started by walking the streets of London, seeking out those who couldn’t access traditional vet clinics. And from that grassroots effort, StreetVet was born.
Now, nearly nine years later, I still feel a buzz of anticipation before each outreach; spending time preparing and sorting out the backpack of supplies, reviewing any patient notes, and gathering essentials like food, collars, leads, harnesses, and toys. In winter, we take dog coats, festive treats, and Christmas gifts. In summer, it’s cooling mats and collapsible water bowls. Every detail matters.
Arriving at the Street Kitchen, I’m greeted by familiar, welcoming faces. The camaraderie among volunteers, both from StreetVet and other homelessness support organisations, is one of the most rewarding parts of this work. We’re united by a shared goal, to bring compassion and care to those who need it most. Our approach is non-judgmental, open, and honest. We want our clients to feel respected and heard, something that’s often missing in a world that marginalises those who don’t fit its norms.
The owners and their pets (mostly dogs but some cats as well) usually arrive before we do, eager to discuss concerns or sometimes to just have a chat. We unpack our bags and get to work, listening to hearts, checking teeth, applying flea treatments, cleaning wounds, taking blood samples, and offering advice on feeding and general care. Almost everything you’d expect in a vet clinic, we do on the street.
Our clients love their pets deeply, but life on the streets, or living in a tent or a car can be harsh. One owner told me she gives her dog her own food, often going without herself. These moments remind me why StreetVet matters. With the cost of living rising and mental health challenges growing, many people who once could care for their pets now find themselves in crisis.
Trust is everything in this work. Familiar faces build relationships, and those relationships allow us to advocate not just for the pets, but for their owners too. We’re trained in safeguarding, mental health, and drug awareness, so we know how to respond and where to direct them when someone is in crisis, a sadly frequent occurrence. It’s not easy to witness, but it’s vital.
The hardest part of all is when a beloved pet reaches the end of their life. Over the years, we’ve said goodbye to many cherished companions. The grief their owners feel is profound and often indescribable. I’ve sat with clients during those final moments, and it never gets easier. But StreetVet is there to support the owner in their time of need, offering a private cremation if they would like it and bereavement counselling through our partnership with the Blue Cross.
Once the outreach is complete and the pets are cared for, we pack up the backpack and head our separate ways. On the journey home, I always reflect on how lucky I am to return to a safe, warm home, and to volunteer alongside such incredible people. Volunteering with StreetVet has given me the privilege of witnessing the human-animal bond in its rawest, purest form. The sacrifices our clients make for their pets are humbling.
If StreetVet has taught me anything, it’s this, never judge without knowing the full story. Sometimes, the greatest acts of generosity come from those with the least to give.
We will use everything you give - in cash or kind - to provide much-needed veterinary care and support to the pets of those experiencing homelessness across the UK.
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