Local charity helps families and animals escape domestic abuse

A specialist animal charity in the South West is supporting individuals and families trying to escape domestic abuse by offering a fostering service for their much-loved pets, with the support of South West Water.

Refuge4Pets provides those who are trying to escape domestic abuse with a helping hand in the form of animal fostering, as most temporary accommodation does not allow people to take their pets. In many cases, this will stop people from leaving their situations as they do not want to leave their pets with their abuser or have to permanently give them up.

Since being founded in 2017, Refuge4Pets has directly supported over 320 families escape these terrible situations by taking in and fostering around 600 pets. By providing this crucial service, the charity has empowered individuals and families to access the safety they desperately need.

Through support from South West Water’s Neighbourhood Fund, Refuge4Pets will support 25 families escape domestic abuse.

The incredible charity covers all costs from – food and bedding, to medication and vet treatment as people leaving abusive situations often leave with very little. By covering these costs, they also remove a barrier for foster carers who only need to provide a loving home.

Dr Mary Wakeham, Chief Executive Officer at Refuge4Pets, said: “’We are indebted to South West Water for their incredibly generous support through the Neighbourhood Fund.

“Funding one of our Project Workers, travel costs and the cost for looking after animals in our care has meant we have helped more people and their animals escape domestic abuse across Devon and Cornwall.”

Laura Flowerdew, Chief Customer and Digital Officer at South West Water, said: “Until domestic abuse ends, there will always be a need for the service and support that Refuge4Pets provides. We are proud to be able to support such an incredible cause which helps people in our community get through awful situations by looking after their precious animals and empowering those suffering from domestic abuse to leave.”

To find out more about Refuge4Pets and their incredible work, visit refuge4pets.org.uk