The Links Group

21/08/2026

The Links Group were lucky enough to hear Dr. Susan Lagdon from Ulster University speak about the Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (HSKT) coercive control awareness campaign, developed in partnership with The Executive Office.

We learned how the idea for HSKT expanded out of Susan's TEDx talk on how she might explain coercive control to her daughter. The HSKT campaign is underpinned by Ulster University's research expertise in psychology and gender-based violence, translating academic insight into practical tools for communities, professionals and policymakers.

We're hoping that some of the resources will be available for our delegates at our coercive control event at Riding for the Disabled Causeway Coast and Glens on 30/09/26. Places are booking up fast, so check our training pages for more information and to book your space. https://tinyurl.com/tlglms

21/08/2026

Refuge4Pets is the youngest of our four Domestic Abuse Animal Fostering Services, and is making a huge impact in this area through frontline services and research.

Founded 9 years ago this month by Mary Wakeham, provides their specialist support across Devon and Cornwall to victim-survivors of domestic abuse, so that they can leave with their much-loved animals. To date they have supported over 500 families and almost 900 animals, including snakes, horses, ponies and sheep; and trained almost 10,000 professionals!

Refuge4Pets also contributes to national policy development and education on the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse. Mary is currently engaged on research into The Use and Abuse of Animals in Domestic Abuse-Related Deaths at the University of Bristol, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Find out more here:

Refuge4Pets provides a pet fostering service across Devon and Cornwall to victims of domestic abuse so that they can leave with their pets.

17/08/2026

Lifeline is Cats Protection's specialist cat fostering service for those fleeing domestic abuse.

Many refuges are unable to accept pets for a number of reasons, this can be a significant barrier for those trying to flee. Lifeline offers alternative care in a temporary, loving foster home, and families can rest assured that their cat will be taken care of until they can be safely reunited.

Lifeline is available through most of the UK. Find out more here

Lifeline is the Cats Protection specialist cat fostering service for those fleeing domestic abuse, providing temporary, loving homes for cats.

14/08/2026

Dogs Trust's Freedom supports for dog owners finding freedom from domestic abuse.

Freedom was launched in London and Yorkshire in 2004, after research highlighted the link between abuse to pets and abuse to people. Freedom now operates across most of the UK, and has provided support for over 3000 dogs and their owners.

The ultimate aim is to preserve the human-animal bond, and to return dogs to their owners once they're settled in safe, new accommodation.

Find out more here - https://www.dogstrustfreedom.org.uk/

Dogs Trust Cats Protection Refuge Refuge4Pets Refuge4Pets Endeavour Project Women's Aid

12/08/2026

The Endeavour Project is the UK’s first specialist domestic abuse pet fostering service and the longest-running of the four Links Group Accredited Specialist Domestic Abuse Animal Fostering Services.

Endeavour was founded in 1997 Bolton as Paws for Kids, by a group of women working in domestic abuse support. They realised that some women were staying in unsafe homes because they feared for their pet’s safety.

These days, Endeavour supports all people and their pets at all risk levels of domestic abuse, providing whole-family advocacy, safety planning, outreach in temporary accommodation, specialist support for young people, trauma-informed counselling, and dedicated services for older adults and those at risk of harmful practices.

Endeavour has fostered all sorts of animals, including insects, spiders, reptiles, amphibians, birds, rabbits, ferrets and more! For more information, visit - https://endeavourproject.org.uk/

10/08/2026

Animals are an important part of family and daily life for more than half of adults in the UK.

The physical and emotional benefits of the bond between humans and animals can bring protective effects for those living with domestic abuse. But research shows that having animals can make it more difficult to leave.

That's why our accredited domestic abuse animal fostering services provide an essential support to all victim-survivors of domestic abuse, whether they have skin, fur, feathers or scales.

Thank you to our partners at the , Freedom, Lifeline, and !

05/08/2026

Our Links Group training days will resume in 2027!

Thanks to the generous support of BSAVA, and delivered through their regional network, these days are open to all safeguarding and animal welfare professionals who want to know more about .

We're looking forward to sharing further details soon, and we'll see you in East Anglia, West Midlands and the South West next year.

British Veterinary Association - BVA BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association) The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) RCVS - Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

31/07/2026

In September, our free webinars are back!

Join Mary Wakeham of Refuge4Pets, Jacqui Kilburn of JK Consultancy, Natalie Ratcliffe of Cats Protection, and Louise Gostling of Dogs Trust for a webinar on The Use and Abuse of Animals by Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse.

It's from 10 to 12:30 on 24 September. Sign up here: https://thelinksgroup.org.uk/veterinary-team-guidance/training/

BSAVA British Veterinary Association - BVA The Royal Veterinary College (RVC)

30/07/2026

2 months to go until our event on coercive control, community, countryside, challenges, and collaboration - presented through the lens of equestrian and all-ability sport.

It's kindly hosted by Causeway Coast & Glens Riding for the Disabled in Coleraine, who we've really enjoyed visiting today.

The event has already had such a great response we've had to use a bigger event space! Find out more and book to join us on 30 September: https://thelinksgroup.org.uk/veterinary-team-guidance/training/

RDA Causeway Coast & Glens, formerly RDA Coleraine

27/07/2026

SQPs, or Suitably Qualified Persons, are often members of veterinary teams or working in the animal welfare space.

The relationship and time they have with animal owners means they hold important pieces of the jigsaw puzzle when it comes to recognising and acting on in practice.

Our Protecting Animals, Protecting People online modular course is free and relevant to all SQPs. We're very glad that raising awareness of this critical work is supported by the team at Vetpol, SQP training and registration body.

https://thelinksgroup.org.uk/virtual-learning/

Vetpol Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)