Our Purpose

Refuge4Pets was founded in August 2017. We are a registered charity in England and Wales and our Registered Charity Number is 1174331. We are a small, local charity with a very dedicated team of staff, volunteers and trustees.

Please click here to read ‘Our Impact During the Year’ Trustees Annual Report & Accounts 2025/26

Our Vision
We are working to achieve freedom from domestic abuse for people and animals.

Our Mission
We offer victim-survivors of domestic abuse a specialist animal fostering service to remove a significant barrier which prevents many victim-survivors from leaving. We empower victim-survivors to access the vital safety and support they need before being reunited with their much-loved animals.

We believe that animals are an important part of victim-survivors’ coping strategies and that the reciprocal bond between victim-survivors and animals aids recovery from trauma.

We contribute to research, policy development and education around the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse to increase the safety and wellbeing of all victim-survivors, both people and animals.

Main Priorities
Refuge4Pets main priorities for 2026/27 are:

Priority 1: Increasing the safety and wellbeing of people and animals
Outcome: We are reaching victim-survivors of domestic abuse across Devon and Cornwall who need our support.

Priority 2: Influencing change
Outcome: More people and animals are safeguarded because of our contribution to research, education, policy and practice change in relation to the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse.

Priority 3: Increasing community involvement
Outcome: Greater community ownership and awareness about the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse to build a bystander community.

Priority 4: Long-term impact for sustained change
Outcome: We are developing and delivering innovative solutions that enhance our reach and impact in terms of maximising the safety of victim-survivors of domestic abuse, both people and animals.

Our Values
Every decision we make as a charity is considered alongside our five core values. These are:

• Empathy We understand what people and animals have been through and work in an empathetic and non-judgemental way.
• Equity We recognise that people start from different places and face unique barriers. We allocate different or additional resources to support everyone to access a life free from abuse.
• Empowerment We empower victim-survivors to regain control of their lives.
• Effectiveness We work efficiently and effectively to achieve our vision.
• Integrity We are honest and have strong moral principles.