Foster a dog for someone experiencing domestic abuse
You can support a family on their journey to freedom from domestic abuse.
For dog owners experiencing domestic abuse, the idea of leaving their beloved pet behind is unthinkable. But most refuges are unable to accept dogs, so they are often unable to take those important steps towards safety. Freedom offers a lifeline, providing safe, temporary foster homes for dogs while their owners rebuild their lives.
By becoming a Freedom foster carer, you’re not just helping a dog, you’re helping a person escape abuse.
Fostering one dog won't change the world, but for that dog and their family, their world can change forever.
Freedom volunteer, North East England
What is Freedom?
Freedom is a specialist, confidential, temporary fostering service. For 21 years, Since 2004, we’ve been supporting dog owners experiencing domestic abuse by caring for their dogs while they find safety. Find out more about our Freedom service and seeking help if you need it.
Fostering a dog through Freedom means you can enjoy all the benefits of sharing your home with a dog, while helping them and their owner find freedom from domestic abuse. All costs are covered including food, vet care, equipment and insurance. Dogs are matched to your lifestyle to make fostering as easy as possible. Support is available whenever you need it, including out-of-hours for urgent issues.
Who can apply?
To foster a dog through Freedom:
- You must be must be over 18 years old.
- You ideally need to commit to foster a dog for at least 4-8 months.
- You must have experience of caring for dogs.
- Ideally, you’ll live in an adult-only home, but we also accept applications from homes with children aged 10 and over.
- Ideally, no other pets will live in your home.
- You’ll be at home regularly during the day (not away for more than four hours).
- You need to live in England, Scotland or Wales, within or near a Freedom service coverage area. Unfortunately, we don’t cover the South West of England, including Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.
Not sure if Freedom is right for you?
You can also foster a dog from one of our rehoming centres, which are usually shorter placements. Read more about our rehoming centre fostering scheme.
Fostering dogs has brought me so very much. Unconditional love from these beautiful creatures and the knowledge that I am helping, albeit in my own small way, to give hope to those that believed there was no hope.
Volunteer, West Midlands
Fostering with freedom - how it works
Application
Complete an application form so we can understand your experience and the type of home you can offer a foster dog.
Home visit
We’ll visit your home in-person or virtually to meet you and your household, answer questions, and ask you to sign our foster carer agreement.
References
We’ll check your references and let you know if your application to become a foster carer is successful.
Waiting for a match
Waiting for a match - once approved, you’ll be added to our foster carer list. Matching you with a dog may take days or weeks depending on your circumstances.
Dog offer
When a suitable dog is found, we’ll call to confirm your availability and arrange delivery to your home.
Placement
We’ll bring the dog and everything you need to care for them. We’ll keep in touch to offer regular support and visit you monthly to check how you’re getting on. We'll also take photos and post these to your foster dog's owner, keeping them updated on how their beloved pet is …
How Freedom foster carers help
Since launching in 2004, Freedom has fostered thousands of dogs, helping their owners to take the next steps away from domestic abuse.
As a Freedom foster carer, you could help other people and their dogs find Freedom from domestic abuse, just like Eliza and Yvonne.
Yvonne & Henry – Yorkshire
When Yvonne left her husband after experiencing domestic abuse, she couldn’t take her dog, Henry, with her. Through Freedom, Henry was safely fostered, giving Yvonne the reassurance she needed to leave. Regular updates helped her stay connected and she was happily reunited with Henry once she had secured safe accommodation.
“My refuge support worker helped me make the referral to Freedom and I found that it was really quick and simple…I just want to thank the foster carers for taking good care of him, I sent them a card and some flowers which Freedom passed on. The time that carers give up caring for the dogs really does help women going through difficult separation and abuse.”
Eliza, Marley & Barney – Scotland
Eliza left a long-term abusive relationship and was rehoused far from home. She couldn’t take her dogs, Marley and Barney, but Freedom stepped in. When reunited, her dogs settled quickly, and Eliza says Freedom helped her and her son through a difficult time.
“I definitely found it reassuring hearing from the Freedom team regularly whilst my dogs were being fostered. You can’t see your dogs whilst they are in foster and my son loved the pictures, they were a big part of it. We were kept updated with everything, we felt we knew the dogs were safe, there was good communication with their food habits, vet updates etc. I very much appreciate it, Freedom really helped us at difficult time.”
The benefits of fostering through Freedom
Fostering through Freedom doesn’t just help others, it can transform your own life too.
- 95% of Freedom volunteers say fostering is good for their mental health
- 100% say their foster dog makes them feel happy
- 92% say it gives them a sense of satisfaction from helping others
- 76% say it reduces social isolation
- 96% say fostering a dog makes them more active.
FAQs
How long will I foster for?
Each placement will vary depending on how quickly a dog’s owner is able to get resettled. Most placements tend to be …
What if I go on holiday?
Unfortunately, foster dogs can’t be taken abroad. But they might be able to go on dog-friendly holidays in the UK.
This…
Will I get support for any behavioural issues that may arise?
Absolutely. Our experienced team are here to support all foster carers and their dogs throughout the entire foster …
Are all foster dogs reunited with their owners?
Our ultimate aim is to return all dogs to their owners. A small number of dogs may not be able to be reunited and we …
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