The cost of providing veterinary care to a favourite pet can create agonising decisions for pet owners. For Australia's growing homeless community, it's an expense that's almost always out of reach.
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00:00 More than six months on and Mark is still missing his best mate.
00:07 He was my beautiful dog and he must have been brain damaged because he hated the world.
00:14 Too dangerous to be left on his own, Pumba the Red Heeler Kelpie Cross never left his side.
00:21 How much stress do you have to put up with? Homeless, living on the streets and a violent dog.
00:31 Mark turned to the Pets in the Park clinic to have his dog put down.
00:36 First thing they said to me was we have a free put down service for violent dogs.
00:41 That was the very first thing they said and they hadn't even met him, they were just watching him.
00:46 Once a month the pop-up clinic provides free vet care for Launceston's homeless residents.
00:52 It's currently experiencing record demand.
00:55 People can't sometimes afford the rent increase when that comes along
01:00 and it's just the tipping point to see them into homelessness because they just can't afford to stay where they are.
01:07 The last census found 120,000 Australians experience homelessness every night
01:12 and it's estimated one in ten own a pet.
01:16 While the companionship is invaluable for many on the streets, the cost of pet care makes the challenge even tougher.
01:22 The human animal bond is really important.
01:26 Kim volunteers at Pets in the Park. She wants more pet care options for Australian Sleeping Rough.
01:33 They're so proud of their animal and the animal gives them unconditional love back
01:41 and seeing that bond is really rewarding to see.
01:45 A bond that gives Mark hope for an uncertain future.
01:49 But I sat there and I watched that dog, how he put up with the world and how he dealt with the world and I thought I can do that.
01:58 Standing up and forging a new path.
02:01 [BLANK_AUDIO]