Research suggests that acts of animal abuse may, in some circumstances, be used to coerce, control and intimidate women and children to remain in, or be silent about, their abusive situation.  The threat or actual abuse of a pet can prevent women from leaving situations of domestic violence.

Many women and children are forced to stay with violent partners because they feel they can’t leave their pets behind – and in some instances violent men are also violent towards the family pets. Research shows that there is a link between animal abuse and domestic violence: men who are violent to women may threaten to harm or actually kill a beloved pet in order to intimidate their partner, therefore maintaining their power and control.

Statistics

According to the organisation Paws for Kids, 46% of women indicated that their partners had threatened to harm their pets, 29% indicated their partners had harmed their pets, 81% of the respondents had children and 41% of the children in these families had witnessed threats or actual violence to their much-loved pet.

The Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline Fourth Year Statistics report recorded that 137 reports were made regarding the perpetrator being abusive towards the children, with 27 reports regarding being abusive towards pets.

A study by Women’s Aid Federation England  also suggests that pet abuse is used by perpetrators of domestic abuse in the UK to try and control and coerce their partners/ex partners and children, reporting that callers to their National Helpline say that on average 9 pets a week are or have been abused by a perpetrator.

Why do Perpetrators use threats to pets?

According to Paws for Kids:

·        A perpetrator will use whatever there is in the home to maintain his power and control over his partner and children.

·        By harming a pet, a perpetrator reinforces a sense of terror in his partner and children. A perpetrator may not need to do anything else to demonstrate power.

·        By killing a pet, a perpetrator may be destroying the women or child's only form of comfort & support by cutting them off from the unconditional love of a pet, this will inevitably add to their feelings of isolation and despair.

·        If a pet is left in the home when a woman and her children go in to a refuge, a man may choose to harm a pet to re-enforce the fear that if she is not there her pets are not safe.

·        By threatening to harm a much-loved pet a child's silence can be bought by an abuser.

For many women and children who leave violent relationships, the options open to them regarding their pets are very limited. The services listed below ensure pets are cared for by a volunteer foster-carer until their owner is able to be reunited with them. All placements are strictly confidential.

RSPCA PetRetreat

Living with domestic abuse is hard, but can be made more difficult if you have a much loved family pet. Most refuges do not allow animals, which is where the RSPCA may be able to help you, your family and pet.

The RSPCA's PetRetreat service may be able to arrange for foster carers to look after your pet if you are fleeing domestic abuse. Your pet will be given a good home until you are settled and ready to look after it again.

If you have a pet and feel ready to leave your home to go into a refuge, or are in a refuge and have left your pet behind, please contact the RSPCA PetRetreat service.

Call: 0300 123 8278
Email: petretreat@rspca.org.uk

Please be aware that we can only take cats and dogs that are over six months old and established family pets. This is because it is very unsettling for animals so young or new to your family to be moved around so much.

The next step...
Our PetRetreat leaflet explains what will happen once you have made contact with us. It also details other services that may be able to help.

Please be assured that all communication with you is confidential and that no one will ever be able to trace you through your pets.

Other Services that may be able to help:

North Wales

The Buster Foundation
Areas covered: Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighire, Flintshire, Wrexham.
Fosters for women who are living in these counties and women who are going into a refuge in the areas listed. 
email  Tel: 07722 361825

Cheshire and North of England based

0120 469 8999 (PAWS for Kids)

Carmarthen

01554 750 100 (Llanelli Dogs Home)

01267 253847 (Paws and Claws - Bronwydd, Carmarthen)

01570 470 589 (Ty Agored, Cribyn, Lampeter)

01550 740 661 (Animal Rescue, Llandeust)

01267 237 958 (Animal Accident, Emergencies only, 4 Clos Morgan, Carmarthen)

Ceredigion

01974 251 596 (Animal in Need)

Colwyn

01492 870 212 (Abandoned Animals)

01492 532 780 (RSPCA)

01492 532 346 (Animal Rescue)

Your local Women’s Aid group will also have more information about pet fostering schemes available in your area.

To contact your local Women’s Aid group please visit the Women’s Aid in Wales pages

If you are experiencing emotional/psychological abuse, or domestic abuse of any kind, contact the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 80 10 800.