New scheme allows homeless man take his dog into a shelter

A homeless man and his dog have left the streets to be part of a groundbreaking study to encourage sheltered accommodation providers to accept pets.

There are several homeless dog owners in Ireland who refuse offers of shelter accommodation because their dog is their main friend and companion.

Demise Hyland and his dog Millie have lived on the streets of Dublin for a number of months as she could not stay with him overnight in any available accommodation.

They are taking part in a scheme launched by the Dublin Simon Community and Dogs Trust in December.

It is hoped the six-month study will change the way dogs owned by homeless people are viewed by accommodation providers.

Kathrina Bentley of Dogs Trust said the scheme is the first of its kind in Ireland. “The bond between dog and owners and the lengths a person will go to in order not to be parted from their canine companion is truly unique,” she said.

Dogs Trust has provided free preventative treatments for Millie, such as vaccinations, kennel cough immunisation, flea and worming treatments, and microchipping.

Dublin Simon Community is allowing Millie to stay overnight with Demise in its sheltered accommodation in Harcourt St, Dublin.

Dogs Trust believes allowances need to be made for people who have dogs and find themselves homeless.

Martina McClean, who fosters rescued dogs as well as working with the Dublin Simon Community, got in touch with Dogs Trust about the project over a year ago

Ms McClean believes the dogs given a clean bill of health should be able to stay with their owners in shelters.

Ms Bentley said Millie, a three-and-a-half-year-old collie mix, was getting lots of attention and treats from everyone in the shelter. “She has a lovely temperament and has no problem meeting new people,” she said.

The Dogs Trust Dublin centre was full with more than 200 unwanted dogs before Christmas. Last November, it launched a campaign asking people to think twice before getting a dog.

“A puppy bought online on December 21 last year was dumped two days later so it did not even make to Christmas Day,” Ms Bentley said.