"Batterers frequently threaten, injure, maim, or kill their partner's or children's pets in conjunction with domestic violence," notes the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). Some victims hesitate to leave violent relationships because they fear for their pet's safety, particularly women without children who may have stronger pet attachments.
According to statistics reported by NCADV, their concerns are valid. A study released in 2007, Battered Pets and Domestic Violence: Animal Abuse Reported by Women Experiencing Intimate Violence and by Nonabused Women, reveals:
- Women at domestic violence shelters were 11 times more likely to report that their partner had hurt or killed family pets than a comparison group of women who said they had not experienced domestic violence.
- Eighty-five percent of domestic violence shelters report that they encounter women whose partners abuse their pets.
- Fifty-two percent of victims in shelters report leaving their pets with their abusers.
Types of animal cruelty and abuse range from withholding food, water, shelter, and veterinary care from family pets to malicious wounding and torture. Experts say there are multiple reasons batterers abuse family pets, but, ultimately, it boils down to demonstrating power and control over their victims by destroying or harming their animals.
So what's a woman to do when she wants to leave a violent relationship but the shelter won't accept pets because of health regulations, limited space, or potential liabilities? According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), a number of animal shelters, veterinarians, and boarding kennels have begun partnering with domestic violence shelters to provide temporary housing for victims' pets. While the name of the programs may vary, their mission is the same--to offer a life-saving alternative for victims of family violence and their animals.
To find information for programs in your area, visit the HSUC's online directory of Safe Havens for Animals programs. If you can't find a program in your area but would like to start one, download the HSUS resource, Starting a Safe Haven for Animals Program, from their Web site.
Make a Safe Exit with Your Pet
Here are some practical tips, provided by HSUC and animal lovers, to help you prepare for a safe exit from your home:
- Create an emergency plan for you, your children, and your pets.
- Prepare a bag for you, your children, and your pets that you could toss in the car at a moment's notice. Be sure to pack your pet's food, dishes, leash and collar, medications, identification, vaccination and medical records.
- Prove ownership of the pet, i.e., dog license, registration, or receipts from your vet's office.
- Enlist the help of animal control officers or law enforcement to remove your pets from the home if you were forced to leave them behind.
To learn more about the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence, visit The Humane Society of the United States Web site.
Remember, pets are victims of domestic violence too. But thanks to the efforts of many, you no longer have to choose between your pets and your safety.
Mary Yerkes - Mary J. Yerkes is an award-winning freelance writer. Her main writing interests include religion, health and wellness, and ...
