Rosie’s Trust offers peace of mind for our beneficiaries as they know Rosie’s Trust will support them in the care of their companion pet for as long as they need us and our resources permit.

Our service is for people who are anxious about the adverse effect of their illness or disability on the welfare of their companion pet and who depend on their companion pet for emotional support.

We undertake a very thorough assessment process of each of our beneficiaries and their pets. This enables us to develop tailored action plans, which take into account and address all the risks we have identified, and ensure the best match for the beneficiary with our volunteers. We also have robust safeguarding policies in place to protect our beneficiaries and our volunteers.

Rosie’s Trust makes a huge difference to the lives of both our human and our pet beneficiaires. As one beneficiary told us, “I simply wouldn’t have been able to keep my cat without Rosie’s Trust,” or another who stated, “Snowy is my reason to keep going. While he’s here, I’ll be here and I can promise him that, thanks to the volunteers from Rosie’s Trust.”

We allocate an average of three volunteers to each beneficiary. We are concerned not only for the welfare of our human beneficiaries but also, of course, that of their animals. Our volunteers provide help and support in all aspects of pet care, including feeding, grooming, exercising, play and stimulation, and vet visits.

We provide fostering services when our beneficiaries need to spend a period of time in hospital or in hospice care. And, if our beneficiaries so wish, we find new homes for their pets when they are no longer able to care for them, including when they die.

When someone is faced with a cancer diagnosis, disability or terminal illness, their whole world changes. They have so much to worry about, so much to deal with and the one thing they need - especially those living alone – is the emotional support that their companion pet provides.

They are no longer able to provide their dog or cat with the same level of care they once could and their anxiety about the welfare of their beloved companion only serves to compound their distress.

At the most stressful time of their lives, they may be forced to give up their companion pet and, in so doing, experience tremendous loss, isolation and feelings of guilt.

Some people have reported that they considered delaying or even refusing treatment because they had no one to look after their pet.


Rosie’s Trust prevents them from having to make such terrible choices.

We also offer a pet bereavement service, providing emotional support to beneficiaries when their companion pet predeceases them.

Rosie’s Trust plays an important role in addressing loneliness, and alleviating anxiety and stress among our beneficiaries.

Our volunteers ensure when they visit that our beneficiaries are as well as can be and they provide welcome social contact for many. As one volunteer commented: “It’s so important for the beneficiaries to see someone every day, including Christmas Day, as they are totally on their own.”

Our volunteers also work closely with social workers and carers as a result of our daily visits to vulnerable members of the community. We alert the relevant social worker and/or care team whenever we have a concern about the beneficiary’s welfare. We keep details of all our beneficiaries’ next of kin.

No other charity or organisation in Northern Ireland is dedicated to helping people who are unable to look after their companion pets independently. Since our establishment in 2015 Rosie’s Trust has helped 180 people to hold on to their pets at a time when they need them most... and the numbers are continuing to grow…

Macmillan Cancer Support estimates that the number of people living with cancer in Northern Ireland will increase by 40% by 2030.

Northern Ireland’s ageing population will also inevitably have a significant impact on demand for our services.

Our work has been made possible thanks to core funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. However, this funding is of course only available for a limited period.

We provide our services free of charge, 365 days of the year. We depend on donations to cover our service costs, and every penny gifted to us is carefully used.

Our sustainability depends on our finding alternative funding from a diverse range of sources.