Sarah's story

“We don’t have a duty to rehome your pets”

That was what the council told Sarah when she was forced into homelessness after her mum died. But after living in a caravan for over a year, Crisis helped Sarah find a home for her and her beloved dogs. She tells her story. 

“I have worked right up until two years ago. I was a support worker myself - I have done live-in care, I have done end of life care, I have supported people with mental health, drugs and alcohol abuse. 

“My landlord put up my rent by a third and I had to give up my tenancy. 

“Then, my mum was told she didn’t have much longer to live with cancer. So, I stopped work because she begged me to look after her.  

“I wasn’t expecting it to be so hard. I was deprived of sleep and there are things I still haven’t processed.  

“When my mum passed away, I couldn’t keep her bungalow with the housing association. 

“I tried to find accommodation, but I didn’t have a guarantor. In the past, my dad was my guarantor. But then it started getting harder, they wanted a working homeowner. 

“I started sofa surfing. Then someone offered me a caravan. I was in there for over a year or longer. Honestly, I was just surviving, and I bought little things like an air fryer so I could eat and a kettle and things like that. 

“The council offered no assistance. The housing officer said to me ‘we don’t have a duty to rehome your pets.’ They would say they would call me back but I wouldn’t hear from them for weeks. 

“I have been so independent my whole life and to be stuck like that... I just felt doomed to be honest.  

“My GP referred me to Crisis. My Crisis Coach, Sue, knew how vital my dogs were for my mental well-being. Sue would say, ‘I know it's hard but we are going to find you a home.’ 

“I have been a support worker my whole life. Never in a million years did I think I would need one myself. But the support Crisis gave me was great.  

“Eventually I found a pet-friendly flat and Crisis helped me with everything, the documents, the deposit and getting additional funding for essentials.  

“There is more space than I could have imagined. To be honest, anywhere was better than when I was in this tiny caravan for such long time with two little dogs. It was so hard. Now, they can do zoomies up and down the hallway. 

“I’m just so happy. I think the things that Crisis does, it makes you feel human again.”