A Hampshire pet business is helping the homeless with new ‘street dog spots’.
Parker’s Pets, which runs three stores in Portsmouth, in Elm Grove, Clarendon Road and The High Street, Cosham, has started a movement to help make homeless people and their furry friends a bit more comfortable through the colder months.
According to a report in the Portsmouth News, the stores will offer free supplies such as blankets, food, toys and treats, as well as pet wipes, dry shampoos and other pet toiletries.
Owners Jade and Louis Elliott had the idea to do something to help after seeing the number of homeless people and their dogs while out walking their own and customers’ dogs near their Clarendon Road branch.
FORTUNATE
Jade told the News: “The dogs that we walk are fortunate enough to have warm beds every night and these dogs aren’t fortunate enough.
“We’re mad about dogs so any way we can help we will. We want to create something where homeless people can come in and help themselves.
“We’re in such a lovely position with our business that’s grown so much that we can use it as a platform to help other people. If we can use it to help other people we will.”
A post, shared on the business’ Facebook page appealing for donations from dog lovers across the city has already been shared more than 1,000 times and has received support from businesses, which are setting up their own donation boxes to give to the Parker’s Pets team.
Jade has been overwhelmed with the response from people in the area and from the pet trade.
“We were really shocked; it’s been really lovely,” she said.
