The charity that fosters pets whilst their owners escape domestic abuse awarded life-changing National Lottery grant

Refuge4Pets has been awarded over £240,000 of National Lottery funding to continue its vital work, placing pets in foster care whilst their owners escape domestic abuse. It is just one of 184 organisations in the South West to be awarded over £6.2 million ,in the past three months*, by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.

Over the last year, Refuge4Pets has supported 91 families in Devon and Cornwall to escape abuse, fulfilling a need that can often go overlooked. Research has shown that animals are abused by perpetrators of domestic abuse to coerce, control and trap victims-survivors in an abusive situation.

Mary Wakeham, Founder of Refuge4Pets, said: “The vast majority of victim-survivors who escape domestic abuse are unable to take animals with them into emergency accommodation. This can serve as a barrier to people getting the support and safety they need. If you are a survivor of domestic abuse, with no money, your children in tow and with animals, it is almost impossible to escape.”

The funding will allow Refuge4Pets to help people like Wendy, who recently escaped her abuser. Wendy and her dog, Charlie, were referred to the service by Devon and Cornwall Police. They were at serious risk from the perpetrator, Wendy’s ex-partner, who had controlled all aspects of her life for many years.

Tami, who is a project worker with Refuge4Pets, took Charlie to his foster home where he was greeted with open arms and a trip to the vet where he received the treatment he needed. Wendy was so grateful to the foster family, who gave her the opportunity to recover and find rented accommodation for both her and Charlie to live.

Wendy (name changed and not pictured) said: “I dread to think where I would be if Charlie had not been fostered. I was in such a low place and didn’t see a way out. I could not handle another beating. Charlie was the only reason I could not leave, but knowing how safe and looked after he was, it motivated me to leave him and sort my life out. We are now so happy and safe forever.”

With 150 volunteers poised to foster pets across Devon and Cornwall, this National Lottery funding will allow the organisation to help even more people like Wendy.

Rowan Miller, Head of Funding for the South West at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this vital funding will help survivors of domestic abuse, across Devon and Cornwall. It is clear that, without Refuge4Pets, many people would be unable to leave abusive situations and I am delighted that with this funding they will be able to continue their vital work. This last year has been incredibly challenging for communities and we applaud the volunteers and groups that have been a lifeline to so many. As we all look to the future, we’re excited to see how local groups will use this funding to further support their communities to ultimately prosper and thrive.”

The South West isn’t alone in benefiting from National Lottery funding. Today it was announced that nearly £65 million has been distributed to almost 2,000 community organisations across England in the past three months*. National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week for good causes across the UK, helping people and communities to build back from the pandemic, prosper and thrive.

The announcement comes shortly after The National Lottery Community Fund released a new report, Putting Communities First, which sets out the impact National Lottery funding has had on communities across the UK over the last five years.

The report shows that on average 5.2 million people across the country a year were supported by National Lottery-funded projects, with 97% of grant holders reporting improvements in their participants’ mental health, self-esteem and social contact.

During the pandemic, in 2020 alone, The National Lottery Community Fund distributed almost £1 billion to charities and community organisations across the UK.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk