A specialist canine fostering scheme which helps individuals fleeing home abuse is issuing an pressing plea for extra foster carers after seeing a 23% enhance in demand for its companies during the last 12 months.
The Freedom Project, managed by Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest canine welfare charity, provides a lifeline for canine house owners who’re escaping from home abuse. It offers non permanent foster houses for dogs, enabling survivors to entry secure lodging with out the concern of what could occur to their canine if they can not take them with them.
Pets are sometimes abused and, in some circumstances, killed by the perpetrator of home abuse with the intention to management and coerce. In addition to the bodily abuse that pets could endure, Dogs Trust discovered that 97% of execs working within the home abuse sector additionally mentioned that animals are sometimes used as a method of controlling somebody experiencing home abuse.
Dogs Trust’s Freedom Project now urgently wants further volunteer foster carers in order that the scheme can assist extra individuals
So far this 12 months, Freedom Project volunteers have fostered 211 dogs, permitting 163 individuals to flee home abuse.
Due to the rise in demand on its companies, Dogs Trust’s Freedom Project now urgently wants further volunteer foster carers in order that the scheme can assist extra individuals. All prices are coated by Dogs Trust, together with vet payments, meals, treats, grooming and bedding.
Involvement in fostering by way of the venture is at all times saved fully confidential to guard each the dogs and the foster carers. Dogs are usually not fostered throughout the space that the proprietor is from and the foster carer won’t know who the proprietor is or the place they stay.
James is presently fostering for the Freedom Project. He says, “I actually wished to get a canine however I really feel prepared for the long-term dedication on the time. Fostering by way of the Freedom Project appeared like the proper answer. It’s additionally meant I’ve bought to fulfill completely different breeds of dogs and it has actually opened my eyes to forms of dogs that I didn’t suppose I’d like!
“At first, I didn’t realise the impression of fostering fleeing abuse would have on the household, being separated. I used to be simply targeted on me and the canine. But after my first foster, I acquired a card from the proprietor thanking me for taking care of their canine. This made me really feel a connection to them and made me realise what I used to be doing. And I embraced fostering in a a lot completely different perspective after that. Fostering grew to become way more rewarding for me then.
“I feel proud of my efforts and happy for the families I have helped because I know the impact it’s had on them being able to change their lives. I also feel very proud of the dogs because they’ve been through a lot too.”
“We support survivors to access safe accommodation with the reassurance that their dog will be taken care of until they can be reunited”
Laura Saunders, Freedom Project Manager at Dogs Trust, added, “We’ve seen first-hand the ways in which perpetrators use dogs to coerce, management, bodily hurt and threaten inside abusive relationships. This is extremely scary for survivors and is usually aimed to depart individuals remoted.
“By offering non permanent foster houses for dogs, we assist survivors to entry secure lodging with the reassurance that their canine will likely be taken care of till they are often reunited.
“Whilst we are pleased to have been able to help so many people, there is still very much a need for our service, and we urgently need more foster carers across the UK so that we can continue this life-saving work.”
The Dogs Trust Freedom Project is searching for volunteers who’re at home throughout the day, doubtlessly people who find themselves retired or work from home. They will need to have some expertise of caring for dogs and be capable of decide to fostering a canine for at the least six months.
If you suppose you may assist or would love extra info on the service, go to www.dogstrustfreedomproject.org.uk or name 0808 196 6240.
This is a visitor put up by Dogs Trust.
