THE UK’s largest dog welfare charity is asking people to consider the canine companions of people experiencing homelessness when writing letters to Santa this year.

Every Christmas Dogs Trust brings festive cheer to the dogs of people experiencing homelessness through its Hope Project.

The project allows the charity to distribute canine hampers of collars, leads, coats, treats and toys to dogs and their owners.

Dogs Trust has been running the project for more than 25 years, and as well as Christmas gifts, provides free veterinary care to dogs whose owners are experiencing homelessness or are in a housing crisis.

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This year, the Hope Project expects to deliver more than 2,000 Christmas parcels to dogs and their owners across the UK – a 24 per cent increase in the number of parcels given out in 2021.

Over the next few weeks, Christmas parcels will be delivered to homeless services across Hampshire including Two Saints, Julien House (Basingstoke) and Trinity Winchester.

Dogs Trust pets and housing manager Harriet Page said: “Everyone knows that the bond between a dog and its owner is a strong one but for people experiencing homelessness, the bond is often unbreakable.

“Christmas can be an especially difficult and lonely time for people in housing crisis.

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“However, thanks to the generosity of Dogs Trust supporters, this year we will be able to help over 2000 celebrate Christmas and support them into the New Year and beyond so that more dogs can stay with their owners, regardless of their housing situation”.

As well as distributing Christmas hampers and offering free veterinary treatments the Hope Project supports homelessness services to accept clients with dogs and helps them put in place practical guidelines.

The scheme, as well as the other vital work carried out by the Dogs Trust, is only possible due to the generosity of the charity’s supporters.

To find out more about the Hope Project or donate, visit dogstrust.org.uk/hopeforchristmas.