Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth is raising awareness of the Dog’s Trust’s urgent appeal for more volunteer fosterers across the North 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 Northumbria Police force area, as demand for the service continues to grow. from Northumbria Police shows that the prevalence of domestic abuse continues to remain high, with 1 in 5 calls to its control room being domestic abuse related and, on average, police receive a domestic abuse related call every 30 seconds.

97% of domestic abuse professionals (including police) recognize that pets are used as tools of coercion and control. That’s why Freedom is widely supported by frontline agencies, including the police, local councils, Women’s Aid, and many local domestic abuse services, which often make referrals to the scheme for survivors needing help with their dogs.

Those wanting to help as 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.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said:

“Abusers know the power of a pet — and they use it. For too many victims, the fear of leaving a beloved pet behind is the final barrier to escaping abuse. We see a rise in people reaching out for help after Christmas, yet many still stay because they believe their dog or cat won’t be safe. That must change. Through specialist fostering projects like the brilliant Freedom, we can offer a path to safety for both survivors and their pets.

“You can leave — and your pet doesn’t have to be left behind. During the 16 Days of Action, I want to raise awareness of the support available and back calls for more foster carers to help make this possible. No one should have to choose between escaping abuse and protecting the animal they love.”

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.”

Anonymous case study
After enduring over two years of abuse, Yvonne (name changed) made the difficult decision to leave her home for the second time; this time for good. Her greatest concern throughout was for her beloved dog, Henry, who had been a source of emotional comfort and protection throughout her experience. Initially unable to bring Henry with her to the refuge, she was referred to the Dogs Trust’s Freedom team which offered a lifeline. With support from her refuge worker, the referral process was simple and fast. Henry was placed in foster care through Freedom, where Yvonne received regular updates and photos, bringing her reassurance and emotional support during a traumatic time. From health check-ups to grooming, every detail of Henry’s care was handled with compassion. The experience brought such peace of mind that Yvonne has since included a legacy donation to Dogs Trust in her will. She expressed deep gratitude to the foster carers and highlighted how vital the Freedom is for people facing domestic abuse: “I put up with abuse for over two years because I couldn’t leave my dog, Henry, behind. Freedom gave me the lifeline I needed, and knowing he was safe meant I could finally escape. If I’d known about it sooner, I would’ve left sooner, and Henry wouldn’t have had to suffer either.”

 

To find out more about Freedom, or to sign up to become a foster carer for the project, visit www.dogstrustfreedom.org.uk.