Skip to main content

Site navigation

  • University of Technology Sydney home
  • Home

    Home
  • For students

  • For industry

  • Research

Explore

  • Courses
  • Events
  • News
  • Stories
  • People

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Study at UTS

    • arrow_right_alt Find a course
    • arrow_right_alt Course areas
    • arrow_right_alt Undergraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Postgraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Research Masters and PhD
    • arrow_right_alt Online study and short courses
  • Student information

    • arrow_right_alt Current students
    • arrow_right_alt New UTS students
    • arrow_right_alt Graduates (Alumni)
    • arrow_right_alt High school students
    • arrow_right_alt Indigenous students
    • arrow_right_alt International students
  • Admissions

    • arrow_right_alt How to apply
    • arrow_right_alt Entry pathways
    • arrow_right_alt Eligibility
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for students

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Apply for a coursearrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Scholarshipsarrow_right_alt
  • Featured industries

    • arrow_right_alt Agriculture and food
    • arrow_right_alt Defence and space
    • arrow_right_alt Energy and transport
    • arrow_right_alt Government and policy
    • arrow_right_alt Health and medical
    • arrow_right_alt Corporate training
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Tech Central
    • arrow_right_alt Case studies
    • arrow_right_alt Research
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for industry

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Partner with usarrow_right_alt
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Explore our research
    • arrow_right_alt Research centres and institutes
    • arrow_right_alt Graduate research
    • arrow_right_alt Research partnerships
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for research

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Research centres and institutesarrow_right_alt
  • University of Technology Sydney home
University of Technology Sydney home University of Technology Sydney home
  1. home
  2. arrow_forward_ios ... For industry
  3. arrow_forward_ios ... Partner with us
  4. arrow_forward_ios ... Giving
  5. arrow_forward_ios ... Support a cause
  6. arrow_forward_ios Student support
  7. arrow_forward_ios Some TLC for furry friends sleeping rough

Some TLC for furry friends sleeping rough

explore
  • Student support
    • arrow_forward Scholarships
    • arrow_forward Some TLC for furry friends sleeping rough

Not-for–profit pet washing service promotes better social understanding

Dog being washed with a green bucket in a courtyard

Credit: Lesley Parker

Ruff Sleepers is a new pet washing service for homeless people, but there’s more to it than simply washing dogs. By helping the homeless look after their dogs, it will go a long way towards fostering and promoting a more understanding and connected society.

“Homeless people often face the heartbreaking choice between accommodation or their pet because shelters and public and private housing often cannot accommodate their best – and possible only – friend,” explains co-founder Dr Bronwen Dalton.

An Associate Professor at UTS and the Director of the UTS Business School’s Masters of Not–For–Profit and Social Enterprise Program, Dr Dalton says the bond between homeless people and their pets can be so strong that they will decline to be housed if it means giving up their dogs.

“Also there is evidence that keeping a pet may be beneficial for those who are homeless. Research suggests that companion animal ownership is effective at reducing loneliness and providing unconditional love,” she says.

"There is even research indicating that some animal-owning homeless people don’t engage in substance abuse or high-risk behaviour because of a sense of responsibility for their companions."

Other research has identified these special relationships as a source of protection for homeless people, and as a means of socially connecting with the public. It is also a pathway to an equal, respectful and positive interaction with homeless people: a common love for dogs can break down social barriers.

Dr Dalton co-founded Ruff Sleepers with UTS Not-For-Profit Program students Tully Rosen and Linda Castellazzi.

Ruff Sleepers volunteers hold their grooming days for “dogs on the street” on the second Sunday of each month in Woolloomooloo. Ruff Sleepers is now looking for sponsors to help it continue its monthly grooming services and to start an emergency treatment fund for our furry clients. “Homeless people's pets can get seriously hurt,” Dr Dalton says. “This fund would ensure that, no matter what your situation in life, your best friend can get life-saving treatment if needed.” Ruff Sleepers also advocates for:

  • More housing options for homeless pet owners
  • The establishment of a veterinary hospital to services disadvantaged pet owners
  • Greater awareness of the value of pet ownership for mental and physical health and well-being, particularly among those facing difficult times

Donate now 

* Monies raised for the Ruff Sleepers project will be held in a UTS fundraising account to ensure volunteers are covered by UTS Insurance and that the organisation identified in the campaign receives the funds (to comply with the Trade Practices Act). 70 per cent of the funds will be donated to Pets in the Park after reaching a minimum of $1000, with 30 per cent of funds held by Ruff Sleepers to build a reserve to cover operational costs and advocacy activities. Advocacy will be for: More housing options for homeless pet owners; the establishment of a veterinary hospital to services disadvantaged pet owners; greater awareness of the value of pet ownership for mental and physical health and well-being, particularly among those facing difficult times.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and the Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation upon whose ancestral lands our campuses now stand. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands. 

University of Technology Sydney

City Campus

15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007

Get in touch with UTS

Follow us

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Facebook

A member of

  • Australian Technology Network
Use arrow keys to navigate within each column of links. Press Tab to move between columns.

Study

  • Find a course
  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate
  • How to apply
  • Scholarships and prizes
  • International students
  • Campus maps
  • Accommodation

Engage

  • Find an expert
  • Industry
  • News
  • Events
  • Experience UTS
  • Research
  • Stories
  • Alumni

About

  • Who we are
  • Faculties
  • Learning and teaching
  • Sustainability
  • Initiatives
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Campus and locations
  • Awards and rankings
  • UTS governance

Staff and students

  • Current students
  • Help and support
  • Library
  • Policies
  • StaffConnect
  • Working at UTS
  • UTS Handbook
  • Contact us
  • Copyright © 2025
  • ABN: 77 257 686 961
  • CRICOS provider number: 00099F
  • TEQSA provider number: PRV12060
  • TEQSA category: Australian University
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility