We've teamed up with The Wallich!

The Wallich teams up with Dogs Trust to support people and dogs experiencing homelessness across Wales

• Five temporary accommodation services operated by Wales' leading homelessness charity, The Wallich, have been endorsed by Dogs Trust.

• Dogs Trust's Together Through Homelessness scheme provides free, in-depth support and advice to homelessness services.

• In a recent survey of professionals supporting those experiencing homelessness, 70% told Dogs Trust that their clients had experienced barriers to accessing homelessness services because they have a dog.

The Wallich, a homelessness charity providing support across Wales, has seen five temporary accommodation services endorsed as dog-friendly by Dogs Trust's Together Through Homelessness scheme.

The Wallich's temporary accommodation services in Swansea, Ammanford, Cardiff and Wrexham provide safe and supportive places for single people experiencing homelessness, with communal facilities and outdoor spaces that create a stable environment for residents and their pets.

Over the last year, the charity has worked with Dogs Trust to become a pet-friendly service provider, allowing people experiencing homelessness to access its services, even if they own a dog. To support these changes, Dogs Trust offers bespoke support and ongoing advice on everything from dog-friendly policies to behaviour resources.

Dogs Trust believes no one should be forced to choose between their dog and a safe place to sleep; however, many people experiencing homelessness are faced with that decision, as many homelessness services are not pet-friendly. In fact, research by Dogs Trust found 70% of professionals supporting those experiencing homelessness said their clients had experienced barriers to accessing homelessness services because they have a dog.  

Si, a resident who lives with The Wallich in Swansea, said:

My dog Smudge is my world. We’ve been together through all the hard times, she means so much to me, she’s my best friend.

The Wallich have been so brilliant. They’re helping to get me sorted and Smudge as well. She’s well-fed and looked after; I just need to make sure she doesn’t get too fat now! Living here with her, I feel so settled and like I can do anything.

These special endorsements by Dogs Trust, the UK's largest canine welfare charity, are given to services that go above and beyond to help people, and their dogs stay together, which highlights the brilliant work done by The Wallich across Wales.

Abigail Owens, Senior Regional Engagement Officer at Dogs Trust, said:

I really enjoyed visiting The Wallich's services as part of this endorsement process. The Wallich wants to create a Wales where people and services provide hope, support and solutions to end homelessness, including for those experiencing it with their pets. This commitment is clearly reflected in their work.

Karen Robson, Chief Executive of leading Welsh homelessness and rough sleeping charity The Wallich, said:

The Wallich is delighted to be an accredited member of the Dog's Trust Together Through Homelessness scheme. We're pleased that we've shown our proven commitment to keeping people affected by homelessness and their pets together; we all know the importance of the relationship between a dog owner and their companion.

We encourage all landlords to consider how pet-friendly renting can work in their properties, and we want to lead by example by showing it benefits everyone involved.

This endorsement means our service users and their dogs get vital support and excellent care from Dogs Trust. It also gives our staff confidence that we're providing the best environment for both people and pets. Thank you to the Dogs Trust for helping make this partnership possible.

Each of The Wallich’s hostels provides dedicated support to residents, including help attending GP appointments, accessing substance misuse and mental health services, and The Wallich's counselling service, the Reflections Network, which helps individuals address issues and make lasting, positive change. As residents build trust with the charity, they often feel safe to share their stories and engage with long-term support, reducing the risk of returning to homelessness.