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Pet Fostering Services As part of The Links Group, some charities offer pet fostering services specifically for pets belonging to women fleeing from domestic violence. For many women and children who leave violent relationships, the options open to them regarding their pets are ve ry limited. The services listed below ensure pets are cared for in a volunteer foster carer’s home until their owner is able to be reunited with them. All placements are strictly confidential. In a survey by pet fostering charity Paws for Kids:
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Interactive map of the pet fostering services: click on your area should take the viewer to the relevant fostering services;
Dogs Trust Freedom Project Greater London Areas covered: Greater London and parts of Hertfordshire. Pets fostered: Dogs Trust will only arrange foster care for dogs over the age of six months under this scheme. Temporary care for cats can also be arranged with Cats Protection through the Freedom Project in Greater London only. How to access scheme: Referrals are taken from agencies and/or direct from the owner provided they supply confirmation they are fleeing due to domestic violence ie. letter from Social Worker or Police Crime Reference Number or Court Order. The process: A Dog Information Form asking specific details about the dog’s habits and behaviour has to be completed by the client before we can find a suitable foster home. In addition a legal contract has to be signed by the owner agreeing to our terms and conditions. We cannot foster dogs that behave aggressively. Food/Vet expenses: All foster dogs are registered with their carer’s nearest vets and will go for an overall health check at the beginning of the foster placement. All veterinary costs will be paid by Dogs Trust and if a dog is not neutered or vaccinated this will be carried out as soon as possible. Cost of dog food and any canine equipment required such as beds and bowls etc will be supplied by Dogs Trust. Length of placement: Foster placements are for an average of 6-9 months whilst the women are waiting to be rehoused. If the owner decides it’s in the dog’s best interests not to take it back, we can make arrangements to rehome through one of the charity’s centres. Dogs Trust Freedom Project Yorkshire Areas covered: All of Yorkshire. Pets fostered: Dogs Trust will only arrange foster care for dogs over the age of six months under this scheme. How to access scheme: Referrals are taken from agencies and/or direct from the owner provided they supply confirmation they are fleeing due to domestic violence ie. letter from Social Worker or Police Crime Reference Number or Court Order. The process: A Dog Information Form asking specific details about the dog’s habits and behaviour has to be completed by the client before we can find a suitable foster home. In addition a legal contract has to be signed by the owner agreeing to our terms and conditions. We cannot foster dogs that behave aggressively. Food/Vet expenses: All foster dogs are registered with their carer’s nearest vets and will go for an overall health check at the beginning of the foster placement. All veterinary costs will be paid by Dogs Trust and if a dog is not neutered or vaccinated this will be carried out as soon as possible. Cost of dog food and any canine equipment required such as beds and bowls etc will be supplied by Dogs Trust. Length of placement: Foster placements are for an average of 6-9 months whilst the women are waiting to be re-housed. If the owner decides it’s in the dog’s best interests not to take it back, we can make arrangements to re-home through one of the charity’s centres. Paws for Kids Areas covered: North West region – Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cumbria. Pets fostered: All domestic pets - dogs, cats, small furries, birds, fish etc. Referrals for un-neutered cats & dogs are only accepted with the owner’s agreement to neuter. Dogs neutered on ‘Dogs Trust’ vouchers Cats neutered by Paws for Kids How to access scheme: If pets are part of the family, referrals can be taken directly from women fleeing domestic violence or from any of the agencies that may be contacted for help; this includes Refuges, Help-lines, Police Domestic Violence Units, Social Services, Victim Support, Housing Advice Centres, Hospitals & Clinics etc. The process: A form must be completed with pet’s details, including: vaccination/neutering status, pet’s size, breed, behavioural problems, socialisation with other animals & children. Equipment owner is providing. Food/Vet costs: Owners are asked to contribute towards the costs of food & any veterinary treatment their pet may need. Kennelling: At present Paws for Kids is unable to provide kennelling therefore can only accept referrals for dogs/cats that are suitable for placing with pet foster carers when such a pet foster carer is available. Length of placement: Pets are fostered for the length of time women are in refuge/hostel, the average being 5-6 months. When women move in to a new property, pets can be fostered for an additional 2-3 weeks to allow for repairs/decorating etc. Further Information Re-homing: If a pet is unclaimed or woman leaves the refuge and does not notify the charity, the pet will be re-homed via local sanctuaries. Petlink Raystede Home for Animal Welfare Areas covered: Kent and Sussex Pets fostered: Raystede will only accept pets over the age of six months under this scheme. How to access scheme: Referrals are taken from agencies and/or direct from the owner provided they supply confirmation they are fleeing due to domestic violence ie. letter from Social Worker or Police Crime Reference Number or Court Order. The process: A “Pet Information Form” asking specific details about the pet’s habits and behaviour has to be completed by the client before we can find a suitable foster home. In addition a legal contract has to be signed by the owner agreeing to our terms and conditions. In addition to this we cannot dogs that behave aggressively. Food/Vet expenses: All foster pets are registered with Raystede’s vets and will go for an overall health check at the beginning of the foster placement. If a pet is not neutered, vaccinated or microchipped this will be carried out as soon as possible. Cost of food and any equipment required such as beds and bowls etc will be supplied by The Raystede Centre. Length of placement: Foster placements are for an average of 6-9 months whilst the women are waiting to be re-housed. If the owner decides it’s in the pet’s best interests not to take it back, we can make arrangements to re-home through the charity’s centre. RSPCA PetRetreat PetRetreat is an Information, Advice and Pet Fostering Service Areas covered:Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Dorset, IOW, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Buckingham, Gloucester, Oxford, Hereford, Worcester, Midlands, Wales, Bedford, Cambridge, Leicester, Nottingham, Lincoln, Stafford, Yorkshire, Lancs, Humberside, Cumbria and Derby are covered in partnership with Paws For Kids. Please call for advice and information on areas covered. Pets fostered: We will endeavour to foster any established family pet. The process: Paperwork to be completed by the pet’s owner. Details of the animal’s vaccination/neutering status, behavioural problems and socialisation with other animals/children required. Food/Vet costs: Owners are encouraged to contribute towards the cost of their pets’ keep on a regular basis, to ensure the owner is able to maintain responsibility for the pets and to continue to budget for their return. Length of placement: This is on average 6 months, however if we are unable to foster the pet (eg. Un-neutered pets and those with behavioural problems) alternative arrangements will need to be made by the owner. Further Information Kennelling: There will be a 7-10 day assessment period in which time all veterinary treatment will be carried out. Clients: Are required to keep in regular contact with PetRetreat while their pets are in foster care. Wood Green Animal Shelters Area covered: East Anglia, East Midlands, Essex. Pets fostered: Mainly dogs, some field animals may be considered. Foster homes that will accept adult cats are very limited - essentially for people fleeing domestic violence. How to access scheme: Owner must be going into a refuge and confirmation supplied plus contact details of refuge/Keyworker. The Process: A legal form must be signed by the client. At all times the animals belong to the owner. Food/Vet costs: Owners are requested to make a contribution to these costs. Length of Placement: Up to six months. Further advice/information e.g. re-homing Pet Fostering Services Scotland (PFSS) Areas covered: Scotland Pets fostered: All pets are considered, acceptance is dependant on an available and suitable foster home. How to access scheme: Through a local Women’s Aid group, social worker or other care professional. The process: Full information must be given including vaccination and neutering details, dietary needs, behaviour issues, sociability with other animals. We ask that you sign an Authorisation Form to agree that we are able to obtain veterinary care for your pet, should there be a need. We will always do our best to inform you before any veterinary treatment is sought. If leaving items with your pet we will fill out a receipt form for you and the foster carer. We must have a secondary contact name, preferably a social worker or other professional. Food/vet expenses: PFSS provide free care. All that we ask is for the owner to cover the cost of food and vet bills. Length of placement: PFSS aim to provide short-term foster homes, we do not have a fixed term but cases will be evaluated on a month by month basis. Further information: If you are unable to be reunited with your pet, we will find a new home through specific rehoming foster carers in collaboration with The Blue Cross. |
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