Every year, more than 2 million people will experience domestic abuse, and for many, dogs are a source of love and comfort. Abusers often exploit this bond, using pets to control and isolate. With most refuges unable to accept animals, survivors may feel forced to stay. Dogs Trust’s Freedom project offers free, confidential foster care for dogs, removing a major barrier to safety and helping people escape abuse without leaving their beloved pets behind.
At Dogs Trust, we believe no one should have to choose between escaping domestic abuse and protecting their dog. That’s why our Freedom outreach project exists – to remove one of the most significant barriers survivors face when trying to leave an abusive situation: the fear of leaving a beloved pet behind. We provide specialist, free and confidential temporary care for dogs so survivors can access refuge and begin to rebuild their lives.
Referrals come from frontline agencies, including Women’s Aid, the police, local councils and domestic abuse services, often at very short notice. To protect both clients and their dogs, our expert team collects dogs discreetly, placing them with trusted volunteer foster carers across the UK. Many of these dogs have experienced trauma, and our foster carers provide the stability and care they need to recover.
Freedom fully covers all fostering expenses – including food, veterinary care and essential pet supplies – whilst also providing comprehensive, high-quality support to foster carers every step of the way. Foster placement typically lasts between six to nine months, during which time our team regularly checks in, sends updates to owners so they know their dog is safe and well, and works with housing providers to support access to pet-friendly accommodation. When reunification is not possible, Dogs Trust rehomes the dog through our national network of 21 Rehoming Centres.
Freedom is seeing a rising demand. Last year, the project supported 418 dogs belonging to 339 clients throughout the UK. Between Jan-April this year, the team already provided confidential fostering to 143 dogs for 117 clients (an 8% increase on the same period last year). Your support would allow us to meet the rising need, and we aim to exceed last years figures, helping improve the welfare and safety of dogs owned by people in vulnerable situations and deliver safe and effective services.
