CVS announces StreetVet as its Charity of the Year

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2nd Jul, 2025
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27 June 2025

CVS’ colleagues have selected StreetVet as the group’s new Charity of the Year.

Chosen after colleague nominations and a nationwide colleague vote, fundraising will begin for StreetVet on 1st July.

To raise money over the next 12 months, CVS practices will host Pennies’ 'digital charity boxes' at its client payment points within 400 of its companion animal practices and referrals hospitals throughout the UK. Pennies let clients voluntarily add small donations to their purchases, when paying by card or mobile wallet.

CVS’ colleagues will also hold numerous fundraising events – expected to include sponsored walks, dog shows, cake bakes and donation days.

StreetVet provides free, accessible veterinary care to pets of those experiencing homelessness across the UK. Founded in 2016, the charity has grown into a volunteer-delivered service, that takes the practice to the pavement, with over 300 vets and vet nurses delivering care to pets in 23 locations. The charity also champions pet-inclusive housing and support facilities for those experiencing homelessness with their pet, through its Accredited Hostel and Day Centre Scheme, helping ensure no one has to choose between a roof over their head and their beloved companion.

The money raised from the CVS charity partnership will help StreetVet to continue to deliver free veterinary care and expand its reach across the UK, provide essential medical supplies, preventative treatments, daily pet essentials as well as helping to support initiatives like the StreetVet Accredited Hostel & Day Centre Scheme.

Chief Executive of CVS Group, Richard Fairman, said:

“StreetVet was the popular choice of our colleagues and that fits with our purpose in giving the best possible care to animals. The work of the charity is so incredibly important – supporting those people who are experiencing homelessness with the care of their pet. Over the next year, I know that our colleagues right across the country will do all they can to raise funds to support StreetVet and make a real difference on the ground.”
Collette Sheaff, Head of Marketing & Fundraising at StreetVet, said:
“We are incredibly proud to have been chosen by the colleagues at CVS to be their Charity of the Year partner for 2025-26. The donations that we will receive from CVS and via Pennies from CVS clients throughout this partnership will help StreetVet continue our vital work in providing free veterinary care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness across the UK. By helping the pets, we are helping their owners too. Unfortunately, the need for our services continues to rise significantly, especially since the cost of living crisis. Funding is crucial in allowing us to meet this increase in demand, so all the funds raised will have a significant impact in helping us to continue the vital work we do at StreetVet.”

Last year CVS’ colleague Charity of the Year Partner was Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

CVS Group operates across small animal, farm animal, equine and laboratories, with around 500 veterinary practices and referral centres in the UK and Australia. In the last five years the company has invested nearly £80 million in its sites, facilities and equipment, in addition to industry leading training and support, to give the best possible care to animals. For more information about CVS Group visit the CVS website.

About StreetVet

StreetVet is an award-winning national charity dedicated to delivering free, accessible veterinary care and services to pets belonging to those experiencing homelessness. Inspired by a chance encounter between co-founder Jade and a homeless gentleman with his dog, StreetVet was founded to take veterinary care out onto the streets directly to the people and pets that need it most. What began in 2016 as two vets, Jade Statt and co-founder Sam Joseph, and a backpack full of veterinary supplies, has grown into a robust volunteer-delivered organisation, with over 300 vet and vet nurse volunteers.

The volunteers swap the practice for the pavement in 23 locations across the UK, from Glasgow to Cornwall, with more locations being added. StreetVet champions the importance of the human-animal bond and has treated more than 3,000 pets and conducted more than 12,000 consultations since its founding.

Many people experiencing homelessness face the heartbreaking choice between securing shelter and a roof over their heads or keeping their best friend; a choice nobody should have to make. Recognising that less than 10% of UK hostels are pet-inclusive, StreetVet launched the StreetVet Accredited Hostel and Day Centre Scheme. This initiative aims to make it easier for hostels to welcome pets, ensuring owners and their beloved companions can stay together.

The StreetVet Accredited Hostel and Day Centre Scheme provides hostels, temporary accommodation providers, and other homelessness service providers with the resources to adopt and implement positive pet policies. Benefits of the scheme include free accessible veterinary care for registered pets, staff training on animal care, comprehensive temporary accommodation pet policies, a telemedicine platform for virtual vet appointments, emergency boarding for medical appointments, behavioural support, and welcome packs with food, toys, and treats for all registered pets.

For more information, please visit the StreetVet website.