Jade Statt is the co-founder of StreetVet, a charity supporting people affected by homelessness and their pets.
Jade, her co-founder Sam Joseph, and their volunteers, support animals in 23 locations in the UK and there are 350 vets and nurses who are part of StreetVet.
It all started when Jade, a vet, was on a night out in London in 2016, and saw a homeless man whose dog had a painful skin condition.
She was desperate to help but couldn’t, and the image of that dog stayed with her, so she decided she wanted to make a difference.
Jade began going out and treating animals on the street, then connected with Sam, who was doing the same, and StreetVet began in 2017.
In this interview, Jade shares their story, the many hurdles and challenges along the way, and how you can support the work they do.
Scroll down for all the links to connect with Jade and support StreetVet.
Topics and timings:
0.20 - Episode outline.
1.22 - Jade on how she started StreetVet-ing in 2016, and founding the charity with Sam Joseph.
2.32 - The volume of volunteers working in the UK.
3.12 - The different kinds of animals StreetVet support from dogs and cats to rabbits, birds and snakes.
5.29 - Trust and some of the challenges Jade and Sam and their colleagues needed to overcome.
7.00 - Working with regulations to ensure vets were able to go and offer support.
8.39 - Connecting with Josh Coombes of Do Something For Nothing and how that helped build trust with the homeless community.
10.32 - The message Jade wants people to understand about people living on the streets with their pets and why they sacrifice a home to be with their pet.
14.45 - How the difficulties with the rental market and the cost of living crisis combined could lead to more pet owners being on the street.
16.36 - How 9/10 hostels don’t allow pets and why StreetVet started the Accredited Hostel Scheme.
17.39 - The Purina Better With Pets Prize and how this has supported the hostel scheme and now 60 accept pets and 50 are now being ‘onboarded’ to have the right set up for pets.
21.32 - What working with Purina has meant for StreetVet and how a corporate relationship works.
23.33 - The StreetVet film and why it was so vital to create a film with the sensitivity it deserved.
26.49 - How the Big Give is boosting funds for StreetVet and how buying a copy of my Pet Business Content Planner between 2nd - 9th December 2025 will mean £5 is donated. This is fund matched meaning the charity will be given £10.
28.07 - Some of the stories in the film - Debs and Bluebell and working with Steph Keelan to ensure StreetVet was represented appropriately.
32.30 - Jade shares some of the ‘ugly moments’ of the StreetVet experience and managing the charity along with her work as a vet.
35.30 - Why collaboration is important for StreetVet.
36.53 - Dean Coleman, one of Jade’s clients who passed away and how losing him impacted on Jade.
39.23 - Reflective practice and emotional support for volunteers with Rosie Allister from Vet Life.
41.46 - How being a StreetVet has impacted on Jade’s mental health.
45.07 - How the awareness and support around mental health has changed.
46.30 - Homeless people cite their dog as their ‘support network’ research.
48.06 - Ways you can support StreetVet as a business.
50.06 - The Big Give and the boost this can give by doubling donations - this year’s target is £60,000.
51.03 - The Human Animal Bond Day on July 26th.
52.07 - What’s next for Jade and StreetVet and having vets and nurses in new locations, with the goal of two new locations a year for the next two years.
54.01 - Ways to connect with StreetVet.
Key quotes:
"If you were made homeless tomorrow, would you give up your pet? Most people say no -but have you really thought what that means?"
"There may be nothing else going well for that person, but that dog is their anchor in a chaotic life."
"The commitment these owners show - putting their pet before themselves at every turn - is humbling."
"StreetVet gave Dean a purpose, and now he’s part of our legacy. We honour him every day in our work."
"The reality of life on the street is one of love, sacrifice and survival—and our film gives voice to that story."
Links mentioned in this episode:
Watch the new StreetVet film on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h_FhJO3xHk
Find out more about The Big Give: https://biggive.org/charities/
StreetVet’s Accredited Hostel Scheme: https://www.streetvet.co.uk/streetvet-accredited-hostel-scheme/
The Better with Pets Purina Prize: https://www.purina.co.uk/our-impact/better-with-pets
Human-Animal Bond Day: https://www.human-animalbondday.com/events
Follow Josh Coombes/Do Something for Nothing: https://www.instagram.com/dosomethingfornothing
