Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about PAWP, support for people and pets, responsible dog rehoming through HomeWagger and our developing professional tools.
About PAWP
What is PAWP?
PAWP stands for The People & Animal Welfare Project . It is the umbrella identity for our work connecting human wellbeing and animal welfare.
PAWP brings together public guidance, specialist signposting, pet-inclusive professional practice and the HomeWagger dog rehoming app.
Our aim is to help people and their pets stay together wherever safe and appropriate, while recognising when responsible rehoming may be necessary.
Is PAWP a charity?
No. Our welfare-focused organisation currently operates through a community interest company (CIC), a form of social enterprise rather than a registered charity.
The People & Animal Welfare Project CIC is our intended new legal name for HomeWagger CIC.
Until that change is registered, the existing company name remains the legal name.
HomeWagger Tech Ltd is a separate company responsible for the digital platform and technology.
We distinguish the CIC’s welfare and social-purpose activities from the technology company’s operations.
How are PAWP and HomeWagger different?
PAWP is the broader people-and-animal-welfare project, addressing the needs of people and companion animals across different support settings.
HomeWagger is the name of our dedicated welfare-first dog rehoming app.
PAWP’s public guidance and professional practice resources are relevant to pets more broadly.
Who founded PAWP?
PAWP grew from the work founded by Claire Davies, drawing on lived experience, over five years of frontline homelessness and client support experience, volunteering in domestic abuse services, and an understanding of the human–animal bond.
People, Pets & Support
Why does PAWP focus on keeping people and pets together?
Pets can provide companionship, security, stability and a sense of purpose.
Housing difficulties, homelessness, domestic abuse, financial hardship and other crises can threaten those relationships.
PAWP promotes consideration of people’s circumstances alongside their animals’ welfare, wherever it is safe, lawful and appropriate.
Can having a pet prevent someone from accessing support?
Yes. For some people, concern about what will happen to their pet can become a significant barrier to accessing help.
Someone may decline accommodation that does not accept animals, disengage from services or delay leaving an abusive situation because they fear being separated from their companion animal.
Recognising these concerns can help professionals explore appropriate support, accommodation options and specialist pathways.
Does PAWP provide emergency accommodation or pet fostering?
No. PAWP does not directly provide emergency accommodation, veterinary treatment, pet fostering or an emergency response service.
We provide information and signposting to relevant support pathways.
See our Urgent Support and Support Directory pages.
In the UK, call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.
Does PAWP believe rehoming should always be avoided?
No. Supporting people and pets to stay together matters, but rehoming can sometimes be the safest or most appropriate outcome.
Our approach is to consider realistic support options without delaying necessary safeguarding or animal-welfare action.
When rehoming is needed, decisions should be informed, responsible and focused on long-term welfare.
The HomeWagger App
What is the HomeWagger App?
The HomeWagger App is a dog rehoming platform currently in development.
It is designed to provide a structured alternative to informal online rehoming, helping adopters, rehomers and rescue organisations make more informed decisions.
Is the HomeWagger App a marketplace?
No. HomeWagger is not designed for buying and selling dogs.
The app’s approach prioritises welfare, suitability and responsible rehoming rather than fast transactions, bidding or paid visibility.
How will Expressions of Interest work?
Instead of immediately opening unrestricted conversations, prospective adopters will be able to submit a structured Expression of Interest (EOI) .
The person or organisation responsible for rehoming can review the information before deciding whether to progress the conversation.
This is designed to support more thoughtful screening and reduce rushed decisions.
When will the HomeWagger App launch?
The HomeWagger App is in development and launch preparations are underway.
We have not announced a confirmed public launch date.
Join our early access waitlist to receive launch announcements and important updates.
Finding a Dog
How will I adopt a dog through HomeWagger?
The planned process involves creating an adopter profile, browsing available dogs and submitting an Expression of Interest when you find a potentially suitable match.
If your interest is accepted, the conversation can progress through the platform.
Will I be assessed before adopting?
The person or rescue organisation responsible for the dog will determine the appropriate suitability checks.
These may include further questions, conversations, references or home checks, depending on the circumstances.
Submitting an Expression of Interest does not guarantee that an adoption will proceed.
Will HomeWagger charge an adoption fee?
HomeWagger is being developed as a platform for responsible rehoming, not dog sales.
Rescue organisations may have their own legitimate adoption fees or donation arrangements.
Any applicable platform fees will be explained before launch or before a charge becomes payable.
Rehoming Your Dog
Can individuals rehome their dogs through HomeWagger?
The app is being designed to support responsible rehoming by individuals as well as eligible rescue organisations.
Listings will need to meet the platform’s welfare and eligibility requirements.
Dog sales and profit-driven listings are not part of the intended service.
Will HomeWagger judge me for needing to rehome my dog?
No. We recognise that difficult circumstances can leave people facing decisions they never expected to make.
Our approach is compassionate and non-judgemental, while keeping animal welfare and safety at the centre.
Will listings be reviewed?
HomeWagger is being developed with listing moderation and welfare-related safeguards.
Reviews are intended to help identify unsuitable content and potential concerns.
However, no moderation process can eliminate every risk or independently verify every statement made by a user.
Can I choose who adopts my dog?
The planned rehoming process allows responsible rehomers to review Expressions of Interest and consider prospective adopters.
The final decision remains subject to the relevant rehoming arrangement, applicable safeguards and legal responsibilities.
For Shelters & Rescues
Will rescue organisations be able to use the HomeWagger App?
Yes. The app is being designed to accommodate eligible shelters and rescue organisations, alongside individual rehomers and prospective adopters.
Structured dog profiles, Expressions of Interest and controlled communication are intended to support more manageable rehoming workflows.
Will HomeWagger replace our existing adoption procedures?
No. Rescue organisations remain responsible for their own adoption policies, safeguarding arrangements and suitability decisions.
HomeWagger is intended to support these processes, not replace professional or organisational judgement.
Will there be a cost for shelters?
Details of any shelter-specific pricing, free access arrangements or optional features will be confirmed before they are offered.
Rescue organisations interested in participating can contact PAWP for information.
PAWP Connect (Professional)
What is PAWP Connect?
PAWP Connect is the working name for our developing professional practice-support platform, subject to final naming clearance.
It is designed to help frontline organisations recognise when companion animals affect people’s safety, accommodation, wellbeing or engagement with services.
Planned features include structured assessments, support pathways, toolkits, resources and learning.
Who is PAWP Connect intended for?
PAWP Connect is being developed for practitioners and organisations in housing, homelessness, domestic abuse, mental health and related frontline support services.
It aims to make pet-inclusive assessment and guidance more usable within existing human-service workflows.
What is pet-inclusive practice?
Pet-inclusive practice means appropriately recognising companion animals within assessments, decisions, support planning and organisational procedures.
It does not mean that pets must always remain with their owners, or that animal-related needs override safeguarding, safety or legal obligations.
It means considering the relationship rather than overlooking it.
What is the Pet-Inclusive Practice Implementation Framework?
Our framework translates existing research, sector guidance and specialist knowledge into practical frontline processes.
It follows six connected stages:
RECOGNISE → ASSESS → RESPOND → RECORD → BUILD CAPABILITY → REVIEW & IMPROVE
Its purpose is to support consistent practice, clear documentation and continuous improvement.
It does not replace professional judgement or statutory duties.
Does PAWP Connect replace specialist services?
No. PAWP Connect is intended to help mainstream human services recognise and use existing specialist knowledge and referral pathways.
Its purpose is to complement specialist providers, not duplicate or replace their work.
It does not replace statutory safeguarding obligations, veterinary expertise, domestic abuse services or an organisation’s own professional responsibilities.
Does PAWP provide case-specific professional advice?
No. PAWP’s professional tools and resources support organisational practice, not individual case management or safeguarding decisions.
Assessment, referrals and safeguarding action remain the responsibility of the relevant professionals and organisations.
Product support is limited to technical, account and implementation enquiries.
How can my organisation learn more about PAWP Connect?
Organisations interested in pet-inclusive practice, professional tools or pilot partnerships can read our Professionals & Partners page or contact us .
General Questions
Is PAWP free to access?
PAWP’s public guidance and signposting pages can be accessed without an app subscription.
Joining the HomeWagger dog rehoming app waitlist is free.
Any future app fees will be communicated clearly before charges apply.
The proposed PAWP Connect professional platform will have separate organisational access and pricing arrangements.
Is it legal to rehome a dog privately in the UK?
Private dog rehoming is generally permitted in the UK, but the circumstances matter.
Ownership, identification, microchipping, animal welfare and any applicable licensing requirements must be considered.
Rehoming should be carried out responsibly, with accurate information and appropriate safeguards for everyone involved.
How does PAWP protect personal information?
Our handling of personal data is explained in the applicable Privacy Policy and related data protection notices.
Please check the notices relevant to the particular website or digital service you use.
How can I contact PAWP?
For general questions, feedback and partnership enquiries, use our Contact page .
During our transition to PAWP branding, you can also use our existing email address: hello@homewagger.org.uk .
Still have questions?
Whether you’re interested in responsible dog rehoming, pet-inclusive practice or learning more about PAWP, we’re happy to hear from you.