Why?
Stockport recognized how important it was for their care leavers to have a pet, but this also presented some difficulties around how to care for pets responsibly.
What?
- Stockport have worked over the last 2-3 years to help care leavers meet the financial challenges of living independently.
- All care leavers can access support from their local pantry – see case study here.
- They looked to extend this support to help their young people meet the rising costs of caring for their pets.
- When young people attend their Local Food bank they can be offered pet food if needed through the development of a Pet Food bank.
- The Leaving Care Team are also liaising with the Blue Cross so that we have an emergency stock of pet food available outside of the Food bank opening hours.
- Links were made with the local Blue Cross charity and care leavers have been offered a Pet Welfare Toolkit and information on Living With Pets through the Greater Manchester BeeConnected app and the Local Offer web page.
- Stockport are also in the process of developing workshop sessions on pets through the Blue Cross to offer as part of our Life Skills sessions for care leavers, including a survey to help care leavers inform the content of these workshops
What difference did it make?
Over the last 3 years there has been a significant increase in the number of care leavers who are pet owners in Stockport. As one care leaver said, “My cat is a huge help, I don’t know where I’d be if I never bought him.“