A BRADFORD dog lover is to be recognised with a special award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) at the House of Lords today for her tireless work to help homeless people and their pets.

Sarah Fretwell, 32, from Oakenshaw, started the 'Hearthounds' group around 18 months ago after meeting a homeless man whose dog had a tumour on its leg which vets refused to treat without payment.

She rallied volunteers to help her provide urgent medical attention for the dog and has been working to help street animals and their owners ever since.

A not-for-profit group which started in Bradford and Leeds before recently expanding to Edinburgh and Glasgow, Hearthounds provides much-needed practical support to homeless people and their animals in a bid to relieve their suffering.

The group distributes weekly food packs, tents, sleeping bags, warm clothes, and essential vet care to clients, as well as working with other agencies to arrange housing and rehabilitation.

“With my background in dog rescue, I had seen people give up or abandon their animals because of a trivial inconvenience," said Miss Fretwell.

"But when you see people with nothing who will sit out in freezing temperatures in rain or snow rather than give up their dog, it is humbling.

"It is such a little thing to get them some food or clothing, but it makes all the difference.

"A sleeping bag alone is worth so much when you're on the streets, and it's amazing how little people actually need to survive."

On average, Miss Fretwell and her small team of volunteers help around 35 people per week, many of whom have been brought up in care, with monthly costs running to £2,800 on top of the group's vet fees.

Alongside Hearthounds, she also runs a small rescue service from her home, caring for cats, dogs, pigs and chickens, as well as a livery business in Wilsden to help pay the costs of the group, with is "90 per cent" reliant on donations from the public.

Miss Fretwell will receive her award at IFAW’s prestigious Animal Action Awards event, hosted by Baroness Gale and presented by TV wildlife expert Bill Oddie.

President and CEO of IFAW, Azzedine Downes, said: “Sarah’s work helping both people and their animals in desperate need on the streets is admirable.

"She is a great role model and example of animal welfare in action, and a very deserving winner of IFAW’s Companion Animals Award.”

"It was a big shock, but I'm really grateful to have been nominated," said Miss Fretwell.

"It is very much a team effort, and there are lots of people to thank.

"The project acts as a bit of a lifeline to people, and we try to help them to start over again.

"I still can't believe how quickly it has taken off, it's overwhelming to be honest."

For more information on Hearthounds, or to donate, visit the group's Facebook page.