Dogs Trust is in urgent needs of more foster carers in Greater Manchester to temporarily-care for the dogs of domestic abuse survivors.
After sadly seeing an 88% increase in demand from owners in need post-COVID, the Dogs Trust Freedom Project – which was launched back in 2019, and is a specialist pet fostering scheme run by the UK’s largest dog welfare charity – is appealing for more dog-lovers to become foster carers, so that it can lend a hand to even more survivors of domestic abuse.
The Dogs Trust Freedom Project has already provided foster homes for 147 dogs in the North West since being launched, and it’s services have enabled survivors to access safe accommodation without the fear of what may happen to their dog if they cannot take them with them.
“Sadly, there is a strong link between domestic abuse and abuse to pets,” explained Joanne Jackson – Regional Manager at the Dogs Trust Freedom Project.
“Research shows pets will often be used by a perpetrator as a tool to threaten or coerce their partners.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Become a foster carer for our #FreedomProject and you’ll help a survivor of #domesticabuse flee to safety without the fear of what would happen to their dog. 💛
She added that this is “incredibly frightening” for survivors.
“As many refuges are unable to accept pets, survivors are understandably concerned about their dog’s safety when they need to escape.
ADVERTISEMENT
“While we already have fantastic volunteer foster carers in place in the region, we urgently need the dog loving public to come forward to volunteer.
“Foster carers to help us support people and their pets when they need it most.”
Dogs Trust is in urgent needs of more foster carers in Greater Manchester / Credit: Dogs Trust
How can I volunteer?
The Dogs Trust Freedom Project says it is particularly looking for volunteers who are at home during the day – potentially people who are retired, or work from home – and they must have had some prior experience of caring for dogs.
ADVERTISEMENT
They will also need to be able to commit to fostering a dog for at least six months, although holiday cover can be provided.
All pet food and the cost of veterinary treatment is covered by Dogs Trust too.
The charity explains that involvement in fostering through the project is always kept completely confidential to a bid to protect both the dogs and the foster carers, and dogs are not fostered within the area that the owner is from.
The foster carer will not know who the owner is or where they live.
The dog welfare charity has sadly seen an 88% increase in demand from owners in need post-COVID / Credit: Dogs Trust
Think you’ll be able to lend a hand?
ADVERTISEMENT
If you think you can help or would like more information on the service, then head on over to the Dogs Trust Freedom Project website here, call 0808 196 6240, or you can apply online.
Featured Image – Dogs Trust
Trending
Manchester crowned UK’s best-value stag do destination for 2026
Emily Sergeant
Prague, Amsterdam, Benidorm, and now… Manchester?
Jetting off to some of Europe’s cheapest capital cities for a boozy night out with your mates before tying the knot is pretty common-place in the world of stag do culture nowadays.
But some new research has now revealed the UK cities that deliver a legendary last hurrah without the price tag, or the need to hop on a plane.
Chillisauce, the UK’s leading hen and stag organiser, has analysed 81,000+ recent group bookings alongside survey feedback from 4,738 stag groups, cross-referenced against live 2026 travel fares, accommodation, and pint prices.
To devise its top 10 list, real price data has been blended with verified group satisfaction to guarantee stags and their pals the best experience.
With the pull of a major city with music, sport, food, and nightlife without London prices, Manchester was crowned the best-value city for a stag do in 2026 overall.
Manchester has been crowned the UK’s best-value stag do destination for 2026 / Credit: Manchester City Council | shawnanggg (via Unsplash)
The average pint runs a little higher in Manchester than the smaller cities on the list, but groups rated the sheer scale and quality of the night out well above the cost, calling it ‘much more affordable than the South of England’ and ‘cheaper than London’.
For a weekend in Manchester, research found that the average cost per person includes £86.36 for accommodation, £36.66 for an activity, £25.08 for a drinks package, £29.35 for a meal, and the average pint coming in at £6.
“We send thousands of groups to Prague, Amsterdam, and Benidorm every year,” said Robyn Davis, Head of Stag and Hen at Chillisauce,”but Manchester keeps delivering nights out that groups tell us beat their expectations.
“There are also those only-in-Manchester touches too, like catching a match at Old Trafford or the Etihad on the same trip.
“Groups describe the locals as up for a laugh and the whole city as ‘built for a stag weekend,’ with a huge number of them already planning to go back, which is the real test of a great destination.”
Other northern destinations on the top 10 list include Newcastle, Leeds, and Liverpool.
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off
Emily Sergeant
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off.
Okay, so it’s not technically closing down per se, but the current LOFT premises off Hyde Road near Piccadilly will officially close doors on 30 September, as the business consolidates its operations and relocates to its newly completed headquarters over at Trafford Park.
Unlike a typical closing-down sale, the stock isn’t old or unwanted. Instead, it’s a live snapshot of LOFT’s day-to-day business, and everything must go.
LOFT is known for furnishing properties across the build-to-rent, student accommodation, co-living, private rented, and social housing sectors, and that constant turnover naturally generates surplus – whether it be project overstock, end-of-line pieces or discontinued items making way for new collections.
The move over to Trafford Park is said to be a moment to clear the warehouse ‘completely’ and start the new chapter with a clean slate.
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off / Credit: Supplied
This means that everything, from sofas and beds, to dining sets, armchairs, and home accessories, must go before the move, with prices already reduced by 50 to 70% below RRP.
Benjamin Hall, who is the Founder and CEO of LOFT, says this is the ‘biggest and best value’ sale the company has ever offered.
He explained: “As we settle into our new home at Trafford Park, we want a completely clean slate. Whether you’re a homeowner after a one-off bargain, or a landlord, agent or developer furnishing multiple units on a budget, there has never been a better time to visit.”
Emily Sergeant -
5th August 2022 
