Category Archives: Uncategorized

Street Paws founder recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours List

The New Year Honours List recognises the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK.

SCAS member Michelle Southern, founder of Street Paws, has been awarded the OBE in the New year Honours List. Founded in Newcastle in 2016, the charity provides free accessible veterinary care and support to homeless people and their pets across the UK. The charity helps both people and their pets by enabling them to stay together, protecting the human animal bond and ensuring the companion animals receive essential care. SCAS recognises the important of human-animal bond, especially for vulnerable persons. Furthermore, animal shelters are overwhelmed and many of the older animals would not be easily rehomed.

We are delighted that Michelle’s dedication and the important work of Street Paws is being recognised with this much deserved award.

Michelle Southern BCAv – Founder & Director of Street Paws (Photo taken from website)

21 December 2023: Homeless Persons Memorial Day

On the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, people in our communities will die without a home.

Organised by the National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Consumer Advisory Board, and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NCHC), this is a day to “remember those who have died and strengthen our resolve to work for a world where no life is lived or lost in homelessness”.

SCAS recognises the devastating effects of vulnerable people being forced to choose between a roof over their head and their beloved companion animals. #Petsandhousing is an important issue, supported by SCAS and our partners (My Dog is My Home; AdvoCATSeastmids; and others) through supporting evidence-based research, education, policy change (The John Chadwick Pet Policy), and raising awareness.

#removebarriers

Read more about how to support the cause or organise a memorial for someone who died homeless:

Grief Awareness Week 2-8 December 2023

‘It’s only an animal, get over it!’ is a cruel and heartless comment, but one that those grieving the death of a beloved companion animal are all too often confronted with. Even when friends, family, teachers, social workers, and colleagues are more tactful, it is often the case that many people simply do not understand the impact of losing a beloved pet.   

2-8 December is National Grief Awareness Week, spearheaded by The Good Grief Trust who share many wonderful resources to raise awareness and provide support to the bereaved.  In this post Kris Hill from the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) raises awareness of companion animal loss and shares some resources that may help those suffering.

Continue reading

All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG): Unsung Heroes 2023.

Tuesday 12 Dec 2023, Committee Room 10, Palace of Westminster, House of Commons, London. 5.30-8.30pm. RVSP Here.

This looks set to be a unique and inspiring evening! The line-up of excellent speakers includes SCAS chairperson, Dr. Elizabeth Ormerod.

Follow link for more information: https://apdawg.co.uk/dec-2023-meeting

What does your cat need? Excellent resources from International Cat Care

The experts at iCatCare have produced a really helpful set of resources to help meet feline needs. The attractive posters are free to download and suitable for posting in veterinary centres, animal shelters and other contexts. Covering a range of issues for owners wishing to optimise their cat’s quality of life, they include great advice on encouraging your cat to eat and drink at home, the five pillars of a healthy feline environment, signs of pain, and cat friendly resources to support toileting, feeding, play, travel, scent communication, and safety & comfort.