Fostering project seeks dog lovers
An animal charity is appealing for dog lovers in Sunderland to come forward as foster carers.
Ahead of National Volunteers’ Week, which gets under way on Thursday, Dogs Trust is looking for support for its Freedom Project.
The innovative pet fostering scheme provides much needed help for people who are fleeing domestic abuse.
The scheme works by temporarily placing the pet at risk with a volunteer foster carer who will care for them in their own home until they can be safely reunited with their owner.
Over 1,100 dogs have been fostered since the charity’s project started 13 years ago, which has allowed hundreds of people to escape abusive situations and start afresh without any fear of what might happen if they are forced to leave their beloved pet behind.
The trust is calling on even more dog lovers to help offer solace and support to the four-legged friends of those fleeing domestic abuse.
As project expands the team are now in need of more foster carers to add to the existing 70-strong team.
So if you miss having a dog or want to help an owner escape from an abusive home, fostering with the Freedom team could be the answer.
Some of the volunteers on the scheme have supported Dogs Trust in excess of 10 years and have welcomed dogs of all shapes and sizes into their homes.
One volunteer said: “I have met so many amazing dogs during my time working with Dogs Trust Freedom Project and would urge anyone that is interested in fostering a dog, to get in touch with the team.”
To find out more about the project, visit www.moretodogstrust.org.uk or call 0800 083 4322.