Dogs Trust is urgently appealing for more volunteer fosterers across the South East to support people fleeing domestic abuse by caring for their dogs. This follows new data showing that referrals to its specialist domestic abuse pet fostering service have doubled in the last five years.
Freedom is a service provided by Dogs Trust which offers temporary foster care for dogs, giving owners the ability to find freedom from domestic abuse without the heartache or risk of leaving their pet behind. It was established in response to growing evidence of the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse, alongside the lack of pet-friendly accommodation. Fosterers play a critical role, providing safe and loving homes for dogs until they can be reunited with their families.
Dogs Trust is now calling for more people to volunteer as foster carers across the South East as demand for the service continues to grow. Data from the National Crime Survey for England and Wales shows that the prevalence of domestic abuse continues to remain high, and almost 8% of people aged 16 years and over – around 3.8million people – had experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2025.
Volunteer foster carers receive full support from Dogs Trust’s experienced Freedom team, including all necessary pet supplies and veterinary care. Regular updates are sent to the dog’s owner, helping them stay connected with their pet while they are apart. Confidentiality is maintained at all times – no personal information is shared between foster carers and pet owners.
Crucially, there is no cost to the foster carer. All expenses are covered by Freedom making fostering an accessible and rewarding way to support people and their pets in times of crisis. To find out more, or to sign up to become a fosterer, visit www.dogstrustfreedom.org.uk.
The need for such services is underscored by Dogs Trust research*, which found that pets are often used by perpetrators of domestic abuse as a means to control and coerce. In some cases, animals have been physically harmed or killed. In a survey of professionals supporting survivors of domestic abuse, 97% reported that animals were commonly used to exert control over those they abuse.
When Sophie made the brave decision to escape an abusive relationship, she, her young daughter, and their dog Murphy were forced to flee their home and spend the night in a hotel. But when emergency accommodation couldn’t accept pets, she was left facing an impossible choice.
“I sat in the car and cried for hours because I didn’t know what to do,” Sophie recalled. “Murphy was part of my journey, and he was affected by the abuse too.”
Initially, a friend offered to look after Murphy, but when Sophie’s ex tracked them down, it became clear he was using the dog as a form of control. “He was verbally abusive, shouting that the dog was his, but that wasn’t true. That made the situation real to me. I knew he would keep using the dog to get to me.”
That’s when Sophie turned to Dogs Trust Freedom team in the South East. “Freedom were brilliant. The responses were always quick and full of understanding,” she said. “Even seeing the blankets in the van and how nicely everything was laid out, I felt secure and that he would be in the best place.”
With Murphy safely in foster care, Sophie was finally able to focus on rebuilding her life. Regular updates and photos offered comfort during an incredibly difficult time. “We loved receiving the photos—we put them on the wall. They were great.”
Eventually, Sophie and her daughter secured a permanent home, and Murphy was reunited with them. “Now I can say it’s like we are living our happiest lives. Getting him back was honestly the best thing.”
Laura Saunders, Freedom Manager at Dogs Trust, said: “Sadly, too often we see cases where perpetrators of domestic abuse have used dogs as tools of coercion and control, often threatening or harming them to exert power. This creates a devastating barrier for people trying to escape – many delay leaving purely out of fear for their pet’s safety.
“Through Freedom, and with collaboration between other UK pet fostering services, we provide a vital lifeline, giving survivors the chance to reach safety while knowing their pet is in a loving, secure foster home.
“Right now, demand for our service is higher than ever. We urgently need more volunteer foster carers to step forward. Offering a temporary home not only protects a dog from harm – it helps transform a survivor’s life at a time when they need support the most.”
To find out more about Freedom, or to sign up to become a foster carer for the project, visit www.dogstrustfreedom.org.uk.
