Care without Judgement

Animal welfare charity Mayhew launches an awareness campaign highlighting its work keeping dogs and cats healthy and safe during the housing crisis.

For 140 years, Mayhew has supported pets through their owners' toughest times by prioritising animal welfare – helping many to remain with their people when it's in the animals’ best interests.

London-based animal welfare charity Mayhew has today (14th January 2026) launched a new campaign, Care without Judgement, to highlight the importance of the bond between pets and their people. The campaign raises awareness of the charity's vital work in keeping them healthy, safe, and together – providing compassionate support without stigma or barriers.

For over twenty years, Mayhew has helped pets and people stay together through tough times. The charity provides free preventative vet care, pet supplies, and trusted advice to people without stable housing. By supporting these pets, Mayhew protects the bond that brings companionship and hope whenever possible.

London Councils warned that homelessness in the capital has reached record levels, with 1 in 50 Londoners living in temporary accommodation and rough sleeping up 50% over the past decade. * Mayhew estimates that up to 45,000 dogs and cats may be living with people in housing crisis.**

Created pro bono by the London agency You’re the Goods; the campaign features a short film and images that honour the resilience of the shared human–animal bond – without sensationalism. The film tells the story of Dave and his dog Lulu, reflecting on the experiences of the pets and people Mayhew’s Community Animal Support team meet every day across London.

At Mayhew, animal welfare comes first. We help pets stay healthy, safe and – when it’s right for the animal – with the people who love them.

Roxy, an eight-year-old Staffy, and her owner, Chris***, have been supported by Mayhew since 2023. With Mayhew's help, Roxy received food, toys, and veterinary care, including spaying. Chris and Roxy are now living in a shelter where they continue to be visited by Mayhew's team.

Speaking about the support received from Mayhew, Chris said, “When I had nothing, I still had Roxy. Mayhew was there for both of us – without them, I don’t know what we’d have done.”

Kat Bergman, Community Animal Support Manager at Mayhew, has worked with Chris and Roxy. She said, “Pets give people a sense of security and someone to share the day with. They can alleviate feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression”.

“People I engage with often don’t have a support network around them; some of them have no friends or family they are in contact with, and their pet becomes that one constant, reliable companion. By prioritising the welfare of pets, we can help keep these amazing pets together with their equally amazing owners.”

Mayhew regularly works with London-based homelessness charity St Mungo's, one of the few charities that offers pet-friendly services for people experiencing homelessness. A survey carried out by St Mungo's revealed that 50% of those polled reported being placed in situations where they had to choose between keeping their pet or accessing housing, while 86% of those surveyed said they had been supported by their pet(s) in times of instability and difficulty.

Chief Executive of Mayhew, Elvira Meucci-Lyons, said: “Animal welfare comes first, always. We provide practical, non-judgemental support to prevent health and welfare issues before they become emergencies. With the housing crisis pushing more people into instability, that support can help keep pets safe and well, and prevent heartbreaking separations. At Mayhew, we see how powerful the human–animal bond is, especially in times of crisis. Pets offer comfort, companionship, and a reason to keep going. They’re family. This campaign celebrates that bond and reminds us it deserves to be protected - by protecting the animals at the heart of it and supporting the people doing everything they can to keep them.”

Watch and share Mayhew’s ‘Care without Judgement’ film at themayhew.org/care-without-judgement

If you'd like to find out if Mayhew’s Community Animal Support team can help you and your pet, email the team at CAS@mayhewanimalhome.org or call 020 8962 8000.

*Studies have estimated the prevalence of homeless people owning pets to be as high as 24%: Full article: Homeless People and Their Dogs: Exploring the Nature and Impact of the Human–Companion Animal Bond and StreetVet and Battersea Alliance