The Dogs trust have launched a new freedom scheme

The scheme has been set up to help animals who have been affected by people fleeing domestic abuse.

Transcript

00:0095% of professionals who help those facing domestic abuse say that some

00:05survivors won't leave without knowing their pet would be safe. But many

00:09refuges and shelters don't allow pets and the Dogs Trust say this is another

00:13barrier to finding freedom. It's a scheme led by the charity providing

00:18foster care for dogs whose owners may be in emergency or temporary accommodation

00:23especially for those fleeing domestic violence. With a rise in referrals being

00:27made they are urging more people to welcome a dog into their home. The

00:32knowledge that their pet will be safe and looked after and loved is sometimes

00:39the final piece of the puzzle to enable someone to leave that dangerous

00:43situation and whilst they're with us it's a completely free service so the

00:49survivors don't have to, you know, we cover all of the veterinary fees, we

00:52provide all of the food, provide all of the equipment and that goes for the

00:55foster carers as well so it's a completely free service for both sides

00:59so you can have that joy of having a dog for around six to nine months without

01:03that the financial commitment, the lifelong commitment of, you know,

01:06potentially 14 years for a dog. And for volunteers it can benefit their own

01:11mental well-being too. And this is not the only reason why there has been a

01:14call for more people to foster animals in Kent. I'm here at the Second Chance

01:17Animal Rescue to find out why animals are being brought to them. Lots of

01:22animals are brought to us. Either somebody's died and the family can,

01:28I've got nowhere for the animals to go. A lot of it, especially post lockdown, is

01:36the cost. So we've had reptiles in because the electricity went up and a

01:43lot of people are finding it quite difficult to feed the animals now. We

01:50understand people have to, sometimes circumstances are they have to get rid

01:56of their animals and we're quite understanding. We don't always ask for

02:03the circumstances. Founded in 2011, this rescue centre takes in animals where

02:08they have space. With the work of volunteers they work on rehoming pets,

02:12caring for long-term residents and rehabilitating animals back to the wild.

02:17Working from donations they have helped a variety of species from cats, horses

02:21and rabbits. Charities in Kent are working to bring a second chance to

02:26both people and their pets. Daisy Page for KMTV.