Pets Foundation commits £1.2 million to Dogs Trust behaviour support line

The Pets Foundation, the charitable arm of UK retailer Pets at Home, has committed £1.2 million over three years to Dogs Trust's Behaviour Support Line, a free helpline that gives dog owners expert advice on behaviour problems. The announcement, reported on 9 November 2026, extends a partnership between the two organisations that now stretches back 14 years and has raised more than £6 million for the charity.

The helpline has grown from a three-person pilot team into a service with more than 20 specialists and extended opening hours, and has supported over 35,000 owners since 2022. Dogs Trust expects to help more than 20,000 dogs this year alone. Behaviour issues are one of the most common reasons owners give up their dogs, accounting for over a third of dogs handed in to the charity, so early, practical advice can make a real difference to whether a dog stays in its home.

The new funding is aimed at early intervention, helping owners seek support before problems escalate. Pets at Home stores, petcare advisors and Vets for Pets practices will continue to signpost owners to the service. For breeders and owners alike, it is a reminder that behavioural support is as much a part of responsible dog ownership as health and training, and that help is available before small issues become a reason to rehome a dog.