Today we are delighted to welcome a guest blog from Dr Andrew Gardiner from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, on the strength of the human/animal bond epitomised by the homeless pets he treats on a regular basis.
(Pic: A BBC film crew capture the hostel vet clinic at work)
It’s now over a year since we started the periodic vet clinic at Dunedin Harbour hostel in Leith, Edinburgh. Our second clinic, in the city centre, and run by my colleague Amy Jennings, has been going for a few months and is currently a bit busier. There have been some refurbishments to the hostel accommodation at Dunedin, which has temporarily limited the numbers of clients they can take in while that is going on. Last week, I chatted with a young man and his dog who were stationed at the top of Leith Walk, hopeful for coins from passers by. His dog, a little Staffie, was a real sweetie and very friendly. She looked well cared for. He was aware of the hostels but had been unable to get in. When they are full they are full, and if you have a companion animal you will not be separated from there may be nowhere else to go.
(Pic: Badger the kitten waits for her vaccination)
The truth is we don’t know how many homeless animal owners there are out there. No one is counting. It is also probably a transient population with people moving around quite a lot, perhaps even between cities. The important thing, we feel, is to treat what we are presented with in a non-judgmental way and to try to increase awareness of what is available. Of course, we cannot do major surgery and things like that – but we can refer people and their animals on to other excellent agencies, such as the PDSA and the Dogs Trust Hope Scheme, who can help if needed. Most of the time we are doing routine health checks, making sure vaccinations and wormers are up to date, treating minor injuries and chatting to the owners about the relationships with their pets and answering any concerns they have.
Both Amy and myself often have a vet student with us. Our final year students at the vet school are queuing up to help us with this project. They are kept really busy on clinical rotations, with their dreaded Final exams always looming ahead of them, but they are so keen to do this on their downtime. It’s a shame not all who volunteered will get a chance to come along, as too many people in the room are a bit intimidating for humans and animals alike! It’s a valuable learning experience for students, and shows them another side of veterinary community work and the human-animal bond. They are always being told to dress smartly for work on the clinics at our referral hospital. I joke with them that when they come to the hostels, they need to ‘dress down’. No smart white coats! Most of our consultations take place on the floor as we all sit down and play with the dogs. Informality is the key.
(Pic: Flo catches sight of her Christmas present from OneKind supporters)
It’s well known that an animal’s presence seems to allow people to talk about things they might not otherwise mention, and some of the stories from homeless people are harrowing. The one thing that is clear is that there are no stereotypes. A combination of ordinary things such as loss of income, relationship failure, bereavement, or mental health issues can all conspire to leave someone – anyone – homeless. For those who have a companion animal, the significance of that one constant relationship can be immense. It would be quite wrong to take well cared for dogs away from homeless people. In some ways, as long as basic needs and shelter are attended to, these animals are lucky: they are with their owners all the time, spend plenty time outdoors, and feel strongly bonded and belonging. To a dog, I believe these are important things. It’s mainly dogs, but not exclusively. So far I have treated cats, what we call ‘small furries’ (hamsters, gerbils) and even, to my slight alarm, two beautifully cared for snakes. The owners had and encyclopaedic knowledge of the specialised care of these animals. It is to their credit that some hostels recognize the significance of animals to people living on the edge and allow them to stay together at a difficult time.
You can donate here to support OneKind’s appeal for vulnerable animals - a donation will help provide a Christmas gift and a free vet check to a homeless pet, as well as support OneKind’s vital campaigns throughout 2012 to protect all kinds of animals, all over the country.
(Pic: Patients at the clinics recieve their own health report card)