A CHARITY which cares for homeless people’s dogs made its first visit to Oxford.

Dogs on the Streets (DOTS) rolled out its first vet ‘street station’ in Gloucester Green to ensure that people living on the streets could get their pets checked out for free on Saturday evening.

About 10 dogs were checked after their owners brought them for a once over in a fully-equipped van, recently given to the charity by an anonymous donor.

DOTS was founded in March 2016 in London by Michelle Clark, who was determined to change something for the better after noticing a dog’s plight on a regular trip past a supermarket.

She said: “Oxford is our first stop and we will be come to support people with their dogs. We are ensuring (homeless people’s) dogs are receiving the care they need.”

Of the welcome in Oxford, she added: “It is really friendly. It’s really nice and everyone seems very interested.”

As she talked to the Oxford Mail on a cold night, a well-wisher gave her a welcome donation to be spent providing services for the dogs.

Of the charity’s origins, she said: “I was driving in north London and used to see a man outside Waitrose. I just gave something to the dog but I’ve never received such appreciation."

Soon after she took care of that dog, Poppy, and has spearheaded attempts to ensure that homeless people can get their dogs quality vet care that would normally be way beyond their financial means.

That includes several vaccinations against deadly diseases, such as canine leptospirosis.

Those will need to be repeated in four to six weeks, so DOTS will be returning to Oxford in a month’s time.

The dogs are also microchipped by the charity to ensure they can be found if they are lost by their owners.

It is estimated more than 100 people are sleeping rough in Oxford. Some are able to get accommodation at hostels if they have a connection to the city, while others turn down any help from authorities.

It is thought that DOTS is the first not-for-profit, independent and voluntarily-run street project of its kind in the country.

DOTS has already provided care to dogs across the London boroughs of Westminster and Camden, along with other dogs in parts of East and West London.

It also has 12 kennels in an undisclosed location so that if, for any need, the dogs are required to be kept indoors, that help is available.

Running the charity is expensive. DOTS provides 24-hour aftercare for their dogs so the homeless people who use its services can go to a vet if necessary and that doesn’t come cheap.

In one case, DOTS paid out £1,600 in vets bills to provide top treatment for a sick dog.

Downton Abbey actor and animal welfare campaigner Peter Egan said: “I am so impressed with the positive contribution DOTS is making to the homeless dogs.

“Bringing hope to their homeless owners, these dogs provide a lifeline living on the streets and it’s so positive DOTS is going national.”

The charity promises to go the ‘extra mile’ to support homeless people and their dogs by providing dog food, dog coats, dog bedding, collars, leads and dog toys, all free of charge.

Although Oxford was the first time the street station was used, the charity is hopeful of expanding around the country.