About us
ABOUT US
Who we are
The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals is a registered charity (1200949) supporting retired dogs and horses from the police, fire, prison, national crime agency, NHS, and border force services by helping with medical and veterinary bills when their careers end.
What Do We Do?
When serving dogs and horses retire, the financial support they have enjoyed whilst working, including food, kennels or stables, medical and veterinary requirements, training and equipment ends.
Why Are We Needed?
Unfortunately, affordable insurance can sometimes be a challenge due to their age and training. This is obviously a worry for handlers who have their own financial obligations, and medical bills can become a concern.
Why Should We Help?
As is widely acknowledged, the relationship between a handler and their working partner is second to none, and it is unthinkable the pair may be broken up due to financial pressure. Unfortunately, this does happen, and it causes great distress for the handlers, their families, and of course the animals themselves.
Part of Our Mission
The NFRSA is there to help to ensure these wonderful animals can stay where they belong, with the families they love, as the years advance. It’s the least they deserve when they’ve devoted most of their lives to keeping us, the public, safe.
Our job, quite simply, is to ‘Protect Our Protectors’.
Present Day
The NFRSA Today
Our Team
With the dedicated help and support from an experienced Board of Trustees and Management Committee made up of a group of individuals with superb expertise in their field, as well as a hugely powerful stable of ambassadors, the NFRSA launched in May 2022 at the National Police Dog Trials.
Are We A Registered Charity?
The NFRSA is a registered charity, and so far over £120,000 has been gifted to animals from the six services we support, with over 400 members registered within the family.
Are There Any Membership Fees?
There are no membership fees for retired service animals, no monthly payments expected, or asked for. The gifts are free and given with enormous respect. Registration is required to access funds, but that too is free – we are a family and forging ahead together is vital.
Working Alongside Our Colleagues Within The Sector
The NFRSA is also incredibly proud to work alongside it’s colleagues in the same sector. There are 14 charities who locally support retired police dogs, covering 21 out of the 43 constabularies, as well as a dedicated charity supporting retired prison dogs. It is incredibly important to us that we do not undermine their fantastic efforts, and so we stand alongside them and do what we can to support their work. We simply fill in the gaps!
THE FUTURE
Where we’re heading
It is important to note that while the NFRSA will initially concentrate on the six services we currently assist – there is nothing stopping us widening our remit to others as we grow – for instance the military. But we must develop carefully – so watch this space!
THE FUTURE
Where we’re heading
It is important to note that while the NFRSA will initially concentrate on the six services we currently assist – there is nothing stopping us widening our remit to others in the future as we grow – for instance the military. But we must develop carefully – so watch this space!
WE’D LOVE YOU TO GET INVOLVED
Please donate today
Please Consider A Donation
Please consider supporting us by donating towards our work. You can even choose to do so monthly, and we would be deeply grateful for that. The price of a coffee would go a long way – lots of cups quickly add up!
Fundraising Possibilities
Or you might like to do some fund-raising for us. Perhaps have a sponsored walk, or a pub quiz, or a dinner party – there are so many fun ways you could help. Why not visit our fundraising page for some inspiration!
Why Not Volunteer?
There are other ways you could help. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer – simply click on the Volunteer link and scroll down the page to find out more.
Can You Help As A Business?
We are always hoping to explore the possibility of reaching out to Corporate Partners and if you think we are a good fit, we would be thrilled to hear from you.
We Cannot Do This Without You!
We do appreciate your interest and know this could not happen without your help. We always remember that the support offered to our retired dogs and horses is done so on your behalf, it’s a way of simply saying ‘Thank you for your service’.
As our founder The Countess Bathurst says: ‘Supporting our service animals in their retirement is our responsibility. They have given so much to us, in endless ways, and we owe it to them to give them the safe, happy and above all, healthy retirement they deserve.’
We look forward to an exciting future and helping these courageous animals who have dedicated their lives to protecting us all.
Don’t Forget Gift Aid!
If you feel you could possibly contribute to our work, we would be very grateful. Please remember to tick the GiftAid box if you are a UK Taxpayer, as it would mean an extra 25% for our wonderful retired service animals.
THANK YOU! Your incredible support today will help save lives.
CONTACT US
Would you like to get involved, or find out more?
We would not be able to do what we do without our army of wonderful volunteers. If you feel you would like to help us in any capacity, whether it be administration or fundraising, please do get in touch using the form below.
Likewise, if you have something you'd like to ask us, please do so using the form below.