Pets at Home’s charitable arm Pets Foundation has handed the charity Dogs Trust £1.2m to support its Behaviour Support Line, which offers owners free advice on issues before they reach crisis point.

The move by the retailer has been taken as demand for behavioural support increases, with the charity’s helpline supporting more than 35,000 owners since it launched as a pilot four years ago.

The charity anticipates an increase in demand, with 20,000 calls expected this year.

Dogs Trust says the helpline is an important part of its work in tackling the underlying causes that can lead to pets being given up.

Pets at Home has been supporting the charity for 14 years, raising more than £6m over that time.

"We know just how much pets mean to the people who love them, but behavioural challenges can sometimes leave owners feeling overwhelmed,” said Amy Angus, Pets at Home’s head of charity partnership and communities.

"The Behaviour Support Line gives owners somewhere to turn when they’re struggling, before those challenges reach a point of crisis. We want people to know that asking for help is okay, that they won’t be judged, and that giving up a much-loved pet isn’t their only option.

“That’s why we’re investing significantly in the helpline. By making trusted, expert advice easier for owners to access, we hope to tackle one of the key reasons dogs are given up and help more pets stay where they belong, in loving homes.”

Dogs Trust’s behaviour and community services director Maria Murray added: “We’re incredibly grateful to The Pets Foundation for this significant investment and proud to be continuing a relationship with Pets at Home that has lasted more than a decade.

“What has always united us is a shared ambition to make life better for dogs and the people who love them.
“The real value of this funding will be felt long beyond an individual phone call. Giving an owner the right advice at the right time can change the course of a dog’s life, building understanding and confidence and, in some cases, helping a family stay together.

“With The Pets Foundation’s support, we’ll be able to make that difference for many more dogs and their owners.”

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