The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals supports dogs and horses from the police, fire & rescue, border force, prison, and National Crime Agency services once they reach the end of their working lives, with financial assistance for vet and medical bills.

When a service animal retires, they usually stay with their handlers because they share an unbreakable bond, having worked side by side for up to 9, or even 10 years, sometimes in highly dangerous situations. They have protected each other, and so it’s perfectly natural they should stay together, and with the families they know and love.

However, once an animal retires, all government funding stops, and furthermore they’re unable to gain meaningful insurance due to their age and training. This means the entire responsibility of an animal’s care falls to the family to which they have retired. 

As we know, when animals become older, it’s inevitable that their health will eventually fail and veterinary assistance will be needed. This comes at a cost, and because of the lack of insurance, it is a huge challenge to the owners of these exceptional animals, who have done so much for their communities. 

The NFRSA helps by covering the cost of these medical bills and we passionately believe it is only right that we should repay the amazing role they have played, helping to keep us safe. 

We have all been protected by these heroic service animals in ways we could never possibly imagine, and we hope you will join us by helping us to ‘Protect our Protectors’ in their twilight years.