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 and border force services by helping with medical and veterinary bills, which inevitably occur as they get older.
When serving police/fire/prison/border force dogs and horses careers end, the financial support they have enjoyed whilst working, including food, kennels or stables, medical and veterinary requirements, training and equipment also comes to an end.
Unfortunately, meaningful insurance is almost impossible to obtain due to their age and training, and even if available, the premiums insurance companies charge for retired animals is incredibly high. This is obviously a serious worry for handlers who have their own financial obligations, and medical bills can be a real challenge.
As is widely acknowledged, the relationship between a handler and their working partner is second to none, and it is unthinkable that the pair may be broken up due to financial pressure. Unfortunately, this does often happen, and it causes great distress for the handlers, their families, and of course the animals themselves.
So, 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
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.
It is now a registered charity and so far, over £10,000 has been gifted to animals from all four services.
There are no membership fees, no monthly payments expected, or asked for. The gifts are free and given with enormous respect and admiration. Registration is required to access funds, but that too is free – we are a family and forging ahead together is vital.
The NFRSA is also incredibly proud to work alongside it’s colleagues in the same sector. While there is nothing formally in place for the fire, prison, and border force services, there are 16 charities who locally support retired police dogs, covering 28 out of the 43 constabularies. 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 police, fire, prison, and border force services – there is nothing stopping us widening our remit to other services in the future as we grow – for instance the military. But we are a young charity and 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 police, fire, prison, and border force services – there is nothing stopping us widening our remit to other services in the future as we grow – for instance the military. But we are a young charity and must develop carefully – so watch this space!
WE’D LOVE YOU TO GET INVOLVED
Please donate today
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!
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!
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.
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 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.
If you feel you could possibly contribute to our work, we would be so greatful! 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.