When you’re fleeing abuse, it’s not only about finding a safe place for yourself, it’s also about keeping your pets safe. At Juno Women’s Aid, we understand this deeply. Pets are part of your family, and we want to ensure they stay safe while you find safety too.
Why Pets Need a Safe Place
Pets often become part of abusive situations. Sadly, partners or ex-partners sometimes use pets to control or threaten women and children. Refusing to let someone leave with their pet – or worse, harming the animal – can be a way to keep a survivor trapped in an unsafe environment. Many refuges cannot accommodate animals, even though they are a vital support to the woman and her children.
This is where the Pet Foster Project comes in. It’s a vital part of the bigger picture. It provides a safe home for your pet, helping you and your children to escape without having to leave behind a dear companion. Fostering your pet means you don’t have to make an impossible choice between safety and your beloved animal.
What the Pet Foster Project Does
Our project works throughout Nottinghamshire, and in some parts of Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. When you need to leave an abusive situation, we can step in and place your pet in a loving, temporary foster home. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a cat, dog, rabbit, snake, fish, or even ducks. In fact, we can help find a place for any animal. Just look at what we did in 2023/24 in this cute picture!
Foster carers offer a loving home for your pet as long as you need it. Everything is done to take worry out of your mind so you can focus on your safety.
The Difference It Makes
We often hear women say they couldn’t have left without knowing their pets would be safe. Being able to arrange fostering gives many women the strength to escape. It’s not just about pet care – it’s about freedom, peace of mind, and the chance to rebuild your life without delay.
Meet Sarah and Jo – Our Pet Project Team
Leading the Pet Foster Project are Sarah and Jo. Both are incredibly passionate about animals and their well-being. They know how much your pet matters to you, and they care deeply about keeping them safe and loved. Both know how hard the decision to have your pet fostered can be, as Sarah says:
“It can be really tough on women and children to let their pets go into foster care. Of course, they want them with them. But a temporary separation is better than living in fear. Animals are so clever and so sensitive, so seeing and hearing abuse will really upset them. They’ll also try and protect the woman and children too, and can often get hurt. We know you really love your pet. Please, take a deep breath, contact us, and let him or her live safely until you can be reunited.”
And Sarah has a brilliant way of helping children feel better about being separated from their pets, as she told us here:
“If I go to a house to collect the pet, there’s sometimes an upset child or teenager who doesn’t want them to leave. What we do in these circumstances is include the child so that they begin to think of it in a different way. So, we’ll say:
‘It’s just like Felix is going on holiday for a while. Can you help me pack his things? Let’s put his toys and blankets together so he can have a nice time. We could put one of your T-shirts in, too, so it’ll smell like you. He’ll love that. You’ll be able to see him again soon.’
We find that this helps the little one feel involved and they feel better to think of the break as a holiday.”
As you can see, a lot of thought goes into this process. Together, Sarah, Jo and their team of volunteers make sure every animal in a foster home is well looked after, safe, and treated with kindness. You can trust them to treat your pet like one of their own, not just with professionalism, but with real compassion.
A Simple, Loving Process
Here’s how it works in simple steps:
- You contact Juno for help with leaving an abusive situation. The helpline worker will speak with Sarah. Or, you can reach out independently – by phone or email – with a request to foster your pet. We’re here to help.
- Sarah and Jo match your pet with a carefully selected foster carer.
- You cover the food costs. If vet care is needed at any time, we ask for a contribution if you can.
- Your pet goes to a loving temporary home until you’re ready to have them back.
- You focus on your safety, free from additional worry or stress.
- You are all reunited and you’re safe and happy.
A Reassuring Word to You
Letting someone else care for your pet can feel hard, but with Juno, it’s the kindest thing you can do for yourself and for your pet.
You’re not abandoning your animal; you’re temporarily giving them the same care and safety you want for yourself and any children. It’s the right choice, even if it’s a tearful choice.
You’re doing what’s best. You’re choosing safety, help, and a new beginning. A fresh start for you and your whole family, furry, feathered or not! And you’re not alone: Sarah, Jo, and the team are there, ensuring your pet is safe, cherished, and well looked after.
Final Thoughts
At Juno, we believe that escaping abuse should not mean leaving behind the creatures who love you unconditionally. That’s why the Pet Foster Project exists: to give you and your pet a break from harm and a chance to start again.
You’re showing courage, strength, and love. Let us take care of your pet so you don’t have to face anything alone and can get to safety. Sarah, Jo, and the whole team are standing by ready to help, because you and your pet deserve safety, care, and peace.
Juno Help
Our helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round. Our friendly team of women are there to listen and support you. There’s no pressure, and they won’t tell you what to do. They’ll just be a shoulder to cry on, and they can guide you through your options. Many of the helpline staff are survivors themselves, so they know how you feel. And everybody is an animal lover! So, they’ll understand all the difficulties in leaving your home. But they also know how you and your pets (and any children) can be safer and happier too.
Calls to our helpline are free from landlines and mobile phones within the UK and do not appear on itemised bills. There is no pressure and everything is confidential.
Helpline: 0808 800 0340
Sometimes our helpline is busy and you might not get through the first time, so please try again. We will always call you back if you leave a message stating it is safe to do so and if you leave us a safe contact number in your message.
If you are hearing impaired, text “Relay/NGT” to 18001 0808 800 0340. This option is available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
You can also email us on [email protected] 9 am – 9 pm.
Please note, we may not be able to respond to emails straight away, but will try to reply within 24 hours.
National Help
If you’re further afield, you could contact other charities like Women’s Aid, who have instant messaging and email contact on their website: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) also provide confidential support. They can help you make a safety plan, find safe housing, and access legal protections.
The deaf health charity Signhealth also runs a domestic abuse support service, DeafHope, using British Sign Language (BSL).
The Survivor’s Trust (for sexual abuse and assault support) – www.thesurvivorstrust.org