According to a survey, carried out by Paws for Kids, of women pet owners living in refuges because of domestic violence:
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66% said that their abuser had threatened to harm their pets |
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38% said that he had actually harmed them
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94% said that if there had been a pet fostering service it would have made it easier for them to leave the violence and so spare themselves and their children further abuse
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Over half the women had had to lose their pets when coming into the refuge as there was no other option available
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The aim of the Pet Easement Project is to help women who need to leave home to escape domestic abuse. Women often remain in a violent situation as they fear their partner will deliberately harm their pets if they leave. The Pet Easement Project is a pet fostering scheme for women fleeing domestic violence in Hertfordshire. We will temporarily place pets with a volunteer fosterer who will care for them in their own home. The pets will be returned once the family is in a position to have them back.
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Domestic violence One woman in four experiences domestic violence at some stage in her life, and one in ten women experienced domestic violence in the past year. Every week two women are killed by their current or former partners. Domestic violence is a very real problem for many women and is usually perpetrated by men with whom they have had a family relationship. Domestic violence knows no social barriers - it occurs in every social grouping regardless of age, colour, ethnic baqckground, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation or religion. It encompasses physical and sexual violence, and emotional and psychological abuse, and is carried out in a systematic and deliberate way in order to maintain a relationship of power over the women and children. Domestic violence and pets Many women and children who suffer domestic violence have pet animals in the home, and the link between violence to animals and violence to people is now well established. Pets are often used by abusers as a tool to control, threaten, intimidate and frighten - by harming, threatening to harm or even killing the pets - which can traumatise children and mothers alike. Getting help If you are suffering violence in the home, phone the 24-hour National Domestic Violence helpline on 0808 2000247. These calls are confidential and you will be able to talk to a trained woman worker who can advise you. If you decide to go to a refuge, you will usually be unable to take your pets. If you have pets that need fostering, contact PEP on 07789 697398 or let your refuge/advice worker know that you need a foster placement for you pets. If you have to go into a refuge quickly and must leave your pets behind, be sure to ask for a police escort to accompany you to your home to collect your pets and possessions. The refuge workers can advise you on this. Getting your pets into foster care When you or the refuge staff contact PEP, we will give you a questionnaire to fill in about your pets, which enables us to ensure they get the best possible care. We will also give you our legal agreement which needs to be signed before we are able to place your pets. We will arrange collection of your pets from the refuge or from another safe place; but we cannot collect pets from the home where the abuse has taken place. If you are able to plan for your pets' departure, try to have the following items ready: |
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| Remember that unconfined cats can become very scared and may escape. If you do not have a cat carrier use a cardboard box with air holes. Vaccinating and neutering If possible, we ask that you bring with you the pets' vaccination certificates. If you cannot do this, or if the pets are not vaccinated, we may have to arrange for a vet to carry this out so as to facilitate a fostering placement. If your pets have not been neutered we will also ask your permission for this to be carried out, as otherwise it may not be possible to find foster homes for your pets. We will also need to know if the pets have been treated for fleas/worms and which products were used so that we can ensure they get the best care. Confidentiality We understand it is very important that you cannot be traced through your pets. The people who foster your pets will not know who you are or where you are; and pets will not be fostered in the area where you come from. To maintain safety you will not be able to visit your pets, but we will make sure they are well looked after and will regularly be in touch to let you know how they are. Cats and dogs will be microchipped and will wear an identity tag with the fosterer's details on their collar to ensure their safety. Reclaiming your pets You will be reunited with your pets as soon as you are able to have them back, but we would ask that you give us several days' notice. If you are moving away from the area we will need to arrange a safe location within Hertfordshire where we can bring the pets to you. The national pet-fostering network The Pet Easement Project is only able to offer a pet fostering service to women escaping domestic violence and accessing temporary accommodation in a refuge in Hertfordshire. However, other organisations offer similar pet-fostering services in other areas of Britain: |
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