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Demand for domestic abuse pet fostering service more than doubles
Dogs Trust's Freedom scheme was first launched 20 years ago.
Dogs Trust is seeking more fosterers to support the scheme.

A pet fostering service that helps pet owners escape from domestic abuse has seen a 140 per cent rise in demand over the last five years.

The Freedom scheme, run by the charity Dogs Trust, has already received 2,303 referrals this year. In comparison, 2019 saw a total of 955. The figures have been released by the charity to coincide with 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual campaign against gender-based violence.

Launched 20 years ago alongside Cats Protection’s Lifeline service, Freedom provides temporary foster homes for pets to allow people experiencing domestic abuse to leave their home without leaving their pet behind.

A survey of professionals in the domestic abuse support sector, carried out by Dogs Trust, has previously found that 97 per cent had supported a survivor whose abuser had used their pet to control or coerce them.

Laura Saunders, Freedom manager at Dogs Trust, explained: “We’ve seen first-hand the ways that perpetrators use dogs to coerce, control, physically harm and threaten as a tool to maintain power and control over their victim. This is incredibly frightening for survivors and is aimed at leaving people isolated.   

“We have heard of perpetrators not letting survivors walk their dogs alone, stopping them from accessing vet care for their dogs, or being able to spend money on dog food and even repeatedly threatening to harm, or kill their dogs.

“By offering this service, we are able to support survivors to access safe accommodation with the reassurance that their dog will be taken care of until they can be reunited.”

With demand rising for the service, the charity is keen for more people to volunteer as pet fosterers for Freedom.

Ms Saunders added: “We are busier than ever and now need more volunteers to open up their hearts and homes and provide temporary foster care so that more people can flee domestic abuse, knowing their much-loved pets will be looked after until they are safely settled.”

More information about Dogs Trust's Freedom service can be found here.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse or know someone who is, you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247 at any time.

Image © Shutterstock

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
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.