Dogs Trust Freedom Project launches in the region as new figures reveal shocking number of domestic abuse crimes in the region
The Trust is launching an innovative pet fostering scheme providing vital support for people fleeing domestic abuse in the North East after new figures reveal police in the region receive over 40 calls a day related to domestic abuse.
The Freedom Project, run by Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, works by placing the dog at risk into the home of a volunteer foster carer who will care for them until they can be safely reunited with their loving families. Most refuges are unable to accept pets so this important scheme gives families peace of mind their dog will be well cared for until they can be safely reunited.
This extension of the project to the North East region comes after police statistics reveal over 54,000 reported incidents of domestic violence in Durham since January 2014 and 30,000 incidents in Northumbria in the past year alone. In Cleveland, figures show there were 15,000 calls to police regarding domestic abuse last year.
The link between animal abuse and domestic violence is well established; perpetrators may threaten to harm or actually kill a beloved pet in order to intimidate their partner into obedience and silence. Many pet owners remain in a violent domestic situation simply for fear of what might happen to their pet if they flee without it.
Dogs Trust’s Freedom Project, which is the only scheme of its kind in the North East, has been running in Greater London, Yorkshire and Hertfordshire for 12 years and launched in Essex last year. During that time has helped more than 800 dogs and owners to escape from abusive situations by fostering 1,100 dogs. With the North East consistently reporting increased incidences of domestic abuse year-on-year, the charity hopes that by extending the project to this area they will be able to help even more families and pets at risk.
We now urgently need foster carers in the North East area as we expand our service, so if you think you could help, please get in touch.”
Due to the high demand for the service, Dogs Trust Freedom Project are urgently looking for volunteers with experience of caring for dogs, who are at home during the day and can look after dogs for an average of six months. All the dogs’ expenses are covered by Dogs Trust, so this is a particularly rewarding volunteering opportunity for dog lovers who aren’t able to own a dog on a permanent basis.
If you live in Yorkshire or the North East and would like to find about more about volunteering or accessing the Dogs Trust Freedom Project please visit www.dogstrustfreedomproject.org.uk or email: freedomproject@dogstrust.org.uk or call: 0800 298 9199.
