VICTIMS of domestic violence worried about the wellbeing of their pets are being urged to find out about a special fostering service.

The Women's Aid pet project is being promoted by Gedling Borough Council until January 4.

It provides temporary housing for animals whose owners are trying to leave abusive relationships.

Gedling has most reported incidents of domestic violence in the county, with some 2,765 incidents in South Notts in the last year.

The project was launched in February.

Women's Aid worker Sarah said: "A lot of women won't leave an abusive relationship if they have animals.

"But to know you are leaving your animal behind which is probably your main source of support and love is very difficult.

"If a man can hurt a woman, he is not going to think twice about hurting a pet."

The pet project finds foster homes for animals so women and children can go to a refuge or other safe place.

There is no contact between survivors and foster carers but survivors pay for pet food and are reunited with pets once suitable accommodation is found.

Sarah said: "Any emergency accommodation and refuge won't allow animals."

When she used to work in a refuge, she knew of one woman who returned to an abusive home because of her dog.

She didn't tell the refuge she had a pet because she knew they wouldn't take it and returned home because her partner had previously let her dog starve while she was away.

One satisfied user of the pet scheme said: "We would not have been able to go into a refuge if it wasn't for the scheme. There was no way I could leave the dogs – my son would have been devastated.

"The pet scheme means that I can say to my little boy that when we get a new house, the dogs will be coming back."

To find out more about the pets project or to offer to help as a foster carer, call Sarah on 07971337264.