No Tricks, Just Treats
This Halloween, Help End the Real Horror for People and Pets on the Streets
As the nights grow colder and the streets fill with carved pumpkins and costumes, Halloween reminds us how easily we can conjure up fear. But for too many people across the UK, fear isn’t fun - it’s a nightly reality.
The real horror isn’t ghosts or monsters. It’s having nowhere safe to sleep because you refuse to abandon the only one who’s never left your side - your pet.
The Bond That Saves Lives
For people experiencing homelessness, a pet can be a lifeline - a source of warmth, safety, protection, and unconditional love.
Street Paws has seen it time and time again: the powerful bond between a person and their pet is often the only stability they have left. But heartbreakingly, this bond can also become a barrier.
When hostels and temporary accommodation refuse pets, people are forced to make an impossible choice: a roof over their head or the companion who keeps them alive.
“He’s the only family I’ve got,” one of our clients told us. “I’d rather stay on the street than lose him.”
No one should ever have to make that choice.
The Street Paws Pet Champion Scheme
To change this, Street Paws created the Pet Champion Scheme - a nationwide initiative helping hostels and housing providers become pet-inclusive.
Through the scheme, we:
Train and support hostel teams to welcome animals safely and confidently.
Provide veterinary care and welfare checks through our outreach service.
Help design pet policies, risk assessments, and practical facilities.
Offer Pet Champion accreditation, proudly showing that no one is turned away for having a pet.
By joining, hostels become part of a compassionate movement - one that keeps people and pets together and helps more individuals move forward into stable housing.
Why This Matters Now?
Halloween marks the turning point of the year: shorter days, colder nights.
For those sleeping rough, winter isn’t festive - it’s life-threatening.
While many of us will go home to warmth, comfort, and companionship, countless others will be outside tonight, clinging to the only comfort they have - their dog.
You can change that.
How You Can Help
If you manage or work in a hostel:
Join the Pet Champion Scheme today at no cost to you.
Street Paws will guide you every step of the way - ensuring your service is equipped, supported, and celebrated for keeping people and pets safe together.
Learn more
If you’re a donor or supporter:
Your gift helps us provide veterinary care, outreach, and training that make pet-inclusive services possible.
Every donation keeps tails wagging - and people warm.
Donate
If you’re a member of the public:
Spread the word. Share this message. Advocate for compassion in your community.
Ask your local services if they’re pet-friendly - and encourage them to join Street Paws.
You can also use SteetLink, a website that allows people to alert local outreach teams about someone sleeping rough, so they can offer help and support: