For many families, pets are part of everyday life, a source of comfort, stability and love.
In homes where there is domestic abuse, pets are often used as tools of control. Perpetrators may threaten or harm animals to frighten partners and children into staying.
No one should have to choose between their safety and a beloved pet.
For many people, concern for a pet’s safety is a real and powerful barrier to escape.
Download Application Form (2.75 MB)In 1997, we launched a specialist pet fostering service for people fleeing domestic abuse in the Northwest.
Today, it remains a vital part of Endeavour, underpinning all of our services.
We provide confidential, temporary foster placements while owners secure safe accommodation. For safety reasons, owners are not able to visit their pets during placement, but we provide regular updates and ongoing communication.
We aim to foster a wide range of domestic pets including:
We provide access to veterinary care where needed and support foster carers with food and equipment expenses. If you are planning to leave an abusive relationship and are worried about your pet, please contact us. We will talk through your options safely and confidentially.
If you want to refer into our pet service, please download and complete our referral form.
We are members of the Links Group, raising awareness about the link between the abuse of people and animals through collaboration, research, training and advocacy.
To find out about pet fostering services outside of the Northwest:
We are always looking for compassionate volunteers across the Northwest who can offer a safe, temporary home to a pet.
By fostering, you are directly helping someone leave abuse safely.
You will receive:
All placements are confidential and carefully managed.
Fostering can last from a few weeks to a few months, depending on circumstances.
If you are interested in becoming a pet foster carer, please download the application pack and return your completed form to:
Endeavour
340 Chorley Old Road
Bolton
BL1 4JU
Or email: petfostering@endeavourproject.org.uk
If you are suffering violence in the home, phone your local domestic violence helpline or refuge for advice. These calls are totally confidential and you will talk to a trained woman worker who can advise you on all your options.
It is quite likely that your partner may threaten to hurt your children or your pets as a way of keeping his control over you and making you do what he says. Some violent men will actually try to carry out their threats, so you need to think carefully about your next step and take good advice from people who know.
You may decide that you are all in too much danger and need to get out of the situation. If you can, have an emergency plan for yourself, your children and your pets.
Try to find a friend or family member to look after your pet. If this isn’t possible, when you have decided to leave, phone the helpline or refuge as soon as you can to let them know you need a placement for your animals. They will contact Endeavour who will look for a temporary foster home for your pets.
Be sure to ask for a police escort to accompany you to your home to collect your pets and other possessions. The refuge workers can advise you on this.
Once a placement has been found for your pets, Endeavour will contact you through the refuge. You will need to get your pets to the refuge or another safe place and we will then collect them. This will be done as quickly as possible.
No. Endeavour pet fostering service has been specially designed so that you cannot be traced through your pets. Only trained women volunteers and workers who understand how important it is to maintain the strictest confidentiality will know where you and your animals are. The people who foster your pets will not know where you are. Dogs will not be fostered in the a rea where you are from.
To maintain safety, you will not be able to visit your pet – but Endeavour will make sure your pets are well looked after and we will send you letters and photographs to let you know how they are doing.
It is always a good idea for your cat or dog to have regular vaccinations. However, we know that for many people this is not possible. We will assume that your pet has not been vaccinated unless you can bring its vaccination certificate with it. If it has been vaccinated, it will be easier for Endeavour to find a placement.It is always a good idea for your cat or dog to have regular vaccinations. However, we know that for many people this is not possible. We will assume that your pet has not been vaccinated unless you can bring its vaccination certificate with it. If it has been vaccinated, it will be easier for Endeavour to find a placement.
If you are able to plan for your pets departure, try to have the following pet items in a safe place and out of your partner’s reach:
NOTE: Unconfined cats can become very scared and escape. It is important that you bring them to us in a secure pet carrier.
Only you can make that decision. Endeavour can help by fostering your pet while you are in the refuge – but inevitably some women will decide that it is better all round if they find their pet a new home. Giving up a beloved pet is sad; but realising that a pet is safe and happy in a new home can make the decision to leave a violent situation easier.
Your local animal rescue centre might be able to find a permanent home for your pet. Try to give them as much information about its background, behaviour, likes and dislikes as you can.
If you decide this is for the best, you may want to take some photographs of your pet for you and your children to keep.
There are several ways you can contact us here at Endeavour. You can telephone Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 5.00pm
Tel: 01204 394 842
Email: info@endeavourproject.org.uk
Via Facebook messager service:
www.facebook.com/EndeavourDAV/
