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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th June 2010
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Dog Foster Carers Needed
The Freedom Project, a pet fostering scheme run by Dogs Trust, has launched an urgent appeal to animal-lovers in the Greater London, Hertfordshire and Yorkshire areas to temporarily care for the pets of victims of domestic violence.

Clare Kivlehan, Freedom Project Manager, explains why the project was set up: “Unfortunately women often remain in a violent situation as they fear their partner will deliberately harm their pet if they leave; it can come down to making the choice between your own safety and that of your pet. The Freedom Project allows women in this terrible situation to know that their beloved pet will be cared for so they can escape the violent household and set up a new life.”
 
Since Dogs Trust set up Freedom Project six years ago over 700 pets have been helped. Project staff now receive daily calls from referral agencies (including the domestic violence charity Refuge and several Social Services departments) and more dog foster carers are urgently needed.
 
Dog foster placements generally last around nine months. During the placement the Freedom Project provides all pet food and veterinary treatment free of charge. Total anonymity is assured, dogs will not be fostered in the area where the owner is from and the carer who fosters the dog will not know who the owner is or where they live. Freedom Project staff provide help and support and each placement is monitored on a regular basis.
 
Volunteers should already own a dog or have experience of looking after them, need to be available during the day to look after the client’s dog in their own home, and should be flexible about which breed they are willing to care for. In multi-pet households Cats Protection will care for the cats.
 
Cats Protection joined the scheme six years ago and has since helped nearly 200 cats, from both multi-pet and cat-only households, in the Greater London and Hertfordshire areas. Cat foster placements can last up to six months and Cats Protection provides care and veterinary treatment free of charge whilst providing anonymity and regular updates to the owner.
 
For more information regarding becoming a dog foster carer or to use this service, please contact freedomproject@dogstrust.org.uk

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.