Dogs Trust works closely with The Links Group, a coalition set up in 2001 to promote the links between child abuse, animal abuse and domestic violence. Other members of The Links Group include BVNA, NSPCC, Refuge, PDSA and RSPCA.
Dogs Trust Freedom Project is part of the Links sub-group on pet fostering, along with six other fostering services for women fleeing domestic violence across the UK. The sub-group was set up to develop fostering services to aid vulnerable adults, children and animals to escape domestic violent situations and to raise awareness of the protection and welfare of children & animals in violent domestic situations.
The Links Group ran their inaugural conference on 16th May 2007 to raise awareness of the links, to communicate the latest research findings, to share information and best practice, to provide a discussion forum relating to child abuse, animal abuse and domestic violence and to encourage closer working relationships between all organisations working in their field.