The Dog Fostering Lifeline Helping People Flee Domestic Abuse

Beloved pets are often used by perpetrators of domestic abuse to manipulate their victims. That’s why Dogs Trust runs a specialist service to temporarily home dogs while their parents seek safety

by Alice Snape

23 June 2024

Trigger warning: domestic violence and abuse

“There’s no words to describe the feeling,” says Sophie* on being reunited with her dog Murphy*. Sophie and Murphy both suffered through domestic abuse at the hands of Sophie’s partner. And when they managed to escape the dangerous situation together, Sophie found that Murphy wasn’t allowed in the refuge with her. “But Murphy was affected by the abuse, too,” she explains.

Instead, Murphy went into the care of Dogs Trust’s specialist service Freedom, which provides dogs with a temporary home until their dog parent has found safety and is in a position to have them back.

Research shows there is a link between animal abuse and domestic abuse. People who are violent to their partner often threaten or harm a pet as a form of coercive control. “Dogs aren’t only witness to abuse, but also often used as part of it,” explains Freedom’s team leader, Becci Philpott, who has heard many stories of dogs being harmed – and even killed.

Coercion involving pets also comes in more subtle and insidious forms, as a means for perpetrators to isolate their victims. Every time one woman went out, her abuser would open the front door – when she got back home, she’d find her dogs loose on the street, making her terrified even to step outside. “Pets are a source of comfort, so perpetrators use threats to exploit that bond as a means to continue the abuse,” comments Becci.

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That’s what happened to Annika* and her dog Jake*. “There were times when he was going to kill Jake,” she explains. “Behind closed doors, you don’t know what is going on with people and their animals.”

In 2019, Dogs Trust carried out a Pets and Domestic Abuse survey, seeking to hear from professionals working in the field – 89 percent said they were aware of domestic abuse cases where pets have also been abused, and 59 percent knew of situations where pets had been affected by financial abuse, where a perpetrator controls all the money – “we’ve collected dogs who’ve been deprived of vet care and forced to live with chronic illnesses,” says Becci.

Escaping a violent situation with a dog

The stark reality is that one in four women and one in six to seven men will experience domestic abuse (according to the National Centre for Domestic Violence) and for those attempting to flee a life-threatening situation, there are very few safe options for their pets. Refuges and temporary accommodation rarely accept pets, which puts pet parents in a heartbreaking situation. “In many cases, they don’t want to leave until they know there’s somewhere safe for their pets to go,” explains Becci. “Which means there’s a high demand for our service – in 2023, 2,328 dogs were referred to us.”

That’s where the amazing pool of Dogs Trust foster carers come in. “We place dogs belonging to victim-survivors into temporary foster care with one of our network of volunteers who look after the dog until the owner is ready to be reunited with them,” explains Becci. “Last year, we helped 228 people and 323 dogs find safety.”

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Providing a temporary sanctuary

When dogs are taken in by Freedom, some are suffering from injuries such as cigarette burns, one dog even had a stab wound in his head – this can have a lasting effect on the dog. “It can manifest in different ways, including lapses in house training, separation issues, frustration, nervousness, fearfulness of particular triggers,” says Becci. But all foster carers have the support of Dogs Trust to help them get settled. “And carers get great joy from seeing a dog find its feet and come out of its shell.”

For one volunteer foster carer Thomas*, who works as a marketing consultant, the thought of the dog’s parent was at the forefront of his mind, rather than any issues he might experience. “Imagine losing their beloved pet on top of everything else they’ve both been through,” he explains, on his motivation for being part of the scheme. “It is horrible.”

The process is completely confidential, and dog parents and carers won’t know anything about one another. “We think carefully about where it’s safe to place the dog – we’d never place a dog in any area the owner has fled from, or to, or any areas the owner has said the dog might be recognised,” says Becci.

How to become a foster carer for Dogs Trust’s Freedom

Temporarily fostering a dog through Freedom is different to adopting one permanently through Dogs Trust. “It’s free, so all veterinary fees, food and equipment are covered by Dogs Trust,” explains Becci. “And the dog would be dropped off at your home.” Usually, dogs are with Freedom from six to nine months and Dogs Trust can even provide cover for foster carers to go on holiday.

You’ll need experience of caring for a dog – although this doesn’t need to have been your own – and to be at home most of the time. “We consider a foster carer’s circumstances and the sort of dog they’re happy to care for,” explains Becci. There’s an interview, too, at which point there will be a matching process. While a wide range of breeds of dogs come into Freedom’s care, they particularly need volunteers who are happy to consider fostering bull breeds and larger dogs. “These dogs often get overlooked but have so much love to give.” says Becci.

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A lasting impact

Volunteer Sylvie* who works as a software developer, said it was really hard to say goodbye to her foster dog, but she’s got a few thank-you letters from the pet parent over the years, which have sharply put into focus why she became a foster carer. “One started: ‘Dear Stranger’ and included a brief insight into their circumstances at the time,” she said. “One sentence that stood out was: ‘you’ll never know the good that you and Freedom do’ – it really moved me. Obviously, I’ve no idea who the owner is, but I could tell how much it meant to her. I keep that letter and read it again from time to time.”

“Getting my dog Murphy back was honestly the best thing,” reiterates Sophie. “We wouldn’t have got where we are now without Freedom. I might have gone back to my abuser because I wouldn’t give the dog up. It’s so hard when you’re going through this situation and the pets aren’t taken into account. Murphy will always be part of my journey. I believe my foster carer saved my – and Murphy’s – life.”

*names and details have been changed for confidentiality

Freedom are currently looking for foster carers living anywhere in London and the South East, East Anglia, the Midlands, the North of England, Scotland or Wales, click here to apply, call 0800 298 9199 or email freedom@dogstrust.org.uk. Freedom also have an Amazon Wishlist.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, click here for a list of resources that can help. Always call 999 in an emergency. To refer your dog to Freedom, click here.

Other projects helping those experiencing domestic abuse safely flee with their pets

Lifeline by Cats Protection

In partnership with domestic abuse charity Refuge, Cats Protection Lifeline offers a free confidential cat fostering service. Cats are placed in volunteer foster homes and treated as a family pet until they are reunited with their pet parent.