RSPCA - Pets in Crisis

RSPCA - For all creatures great and small

Domestic violence is an abuse of power. It occurs when one person in an intimate or personal relationship engages in behaviour that causes fear or harm to the other person in that relationship. While the abuse is often physical, it can take more subtle forms such as insults, controlling and threatening behaviour, causing harm to personal belongings and stalking in order to frighten or control the other person.

Sadly pets are often abused as part of the spectrum of domestic violence. Domestic violence counsellors regularly speak to women whose pets are beaten or tortured by abusive partners in order to frighten and control them into staying in violent relationships.

Unfortunately the majority of domestic violence refuges are neither equipped nor permitted to accept animals. Research has shown that this leaves many victims of domestic violence feeling trapped in their situation. As a result, women often delay or do not seek shelter for themselves or their children due to a lack of care options for their companion animals. No-one should feel that they cannot leave a violent home. That’s why RSPCA Qld, DVConnect and CUA joined together four years ago to provide the Pets in Crisis program – a unique and real attempt to break the cycle of abuse. The Pets in Crisis Program or "Safe Beds for Pets as it is known to residents of NSW - provides shelter for those pets owned by victims of domestic violence and is now supported by CUA/RSPCA in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Individuals can contact a hotline such as DVConnect or RSPCA (depending on the state) who will work directly with RSPCA to provide immediate and temporary care and accommodation for their pets with either trained foster parents and/or at the respective RSPCA shelters located in QLD, NSW or VIC.

CUA staff also support the annual Million Paws Walk at venues around the eastern seaboard and a lucky few even get to volunteer on corporate roster at various shelters.

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