Who We Partner With

25% of Scots have a dog and 20% have a cat and we know that pet owners are saying they have cut back on food or care for their animal. We have seen an increase in calls to our Helpline from people asking us about giving up their pet. For people experiencing mental health problems or difficulties with their finances, the fear of losing their animal companions will almost certainly add to their worries. The Animal Kindness Index, published in June 2023, revealed 88% of people in Scotland believe it has become more expensive to look after a pet.

Through this partnership, frontline colleagues from both organisations will be upskilled on how to identify animal welfare issues or mental health problems at an early stage, enabling help to be sought fast. SAMH operates over 70 services across Scotland supporting people with their mental health and is well positioned to enhance the Society’s work in communities across the country.

Our partnership with Citizens Advice Bureau network provides access to animal welfare support when they really need it. It is a logical collaboration allowing fluid access to one another’s services, with the goal of intervening early to prevent animal and human welfare issues from escalating.

The partnership with Simon Community allows us to confidently identify issues around animal welfare and housing. We have added Simon Community Scotland to our animal helpline system to enable the team to track referrals. Simon Community Scotland has helped our teams develop their knowledge and experience as part of a wider focus on pets and housing support.