Meet the Founder

From Passion to Purpose

HomeWagger began with a simple ambition: to create a safer, more responsible alternative to online marketplaces and social media platforms where dogs can be rehomed without adequate safeguards or consideration for their welfare.

As the idea developed, I began looking more closely at the circumstances that lead people to rehome their dogs. I noticed that many of these decisions were driven by difficult circumstances or personal crises, including homelessness, mental health challenges, domestic abuse and financial hardship.

This made me realise that I wanted HomeWagger to do more than provide a responsible rehoming platform.

I also came to understand that the fear of being separated from a companion animal can itself become a barrier to accessing help.

People may decline accommodation, disengage from support services or delay leaving an abusive relationship because they are unwilling or unable to leave their pet behind.

This reinforced my belief that protecting the human–animal bond isn’t simply about animal welfare — it can also be an important consideration in people’s safety, wellbeing and access to essential support.

Through my research, I discovered a growing body of evidence highlighting the importance of the human–animal bond, alongside valuable guidance and specialist expertise supporting pet-inclusive approaches.

What struck me was that much of this knowledge already existed, but was often fragmented across research, organisations and specialist services, making it difficult for frontline professionals to access and apply in everyday practice.

I saw an opportunity to bring that knowledge together and translate it into practical, accessible tools that could help organisations better recognise and respond to the needs of people with companion animals.

Turning Evidence into Practice

Drawing on academic research, sector guidance and emerging good practice, I developed the HomeWagger Pet-Inclusive Practice Implementation Framework.

The framework is designed to help organisations recognise and respond to companion-animal-related needs while implementing, demonstrating, monitoring and improving pet-inclusive practice.

My aim is to bridge the gap between specialist knowledge and frontline practice, making existing research, guidance and expertise more accessible and easier for organisations to put into practice.

One Mission. Connected Solutions.

HomeWagger has since evolved into a connected ecosystem.

Through our website, we provide public information, guidance and support.

Our dedicated dog rehoming app is being developed to offer a safer, more responsible approach to rehoming.

And the HomeWagger Professional Portal brings together evidence-informed resources, practical tools and structured assessments to help frontline organisations embed pet-inclusive practice within their services.

Looking Ahead

I believe supporting people and protecting animals should not be treated as separate priorities.

My hope is that HomeWagger can contribute to a future where the human–animal bond is better understood, pet-inclusive practice becomes part of everyday frontline support, and fewer people face the distressing prospect of giving up a companion animal simply because they cannot access the help they need.

Claire Davies
Founder, HomeWagger

For people, for pets, for purpose.