A crisis housing program for pet survivors of domestic violence in Queensland will receive additional funding of $ 200,000 before the next state budget.
Key points:
- Domestic abusers often use pets to try to keep survivors away
- The Pets in Crisis program is an 18-year-old, a partnership between the RSPCA and DV Connect.
- The program helps prevent the animals from being delivered because it gives people a chance to find accommodation
While a number of services offer emergency accommodation to women fleeing violent relationships, survivors are often forced to make the difficult decision to leave their pets behind, according to DV Connect spokeswoman Beck O ‘ Connor.
“While the recent shelters and shelters that have been brought to Queensland accommodate the animals, most emergency housing options across the state do not,” Ms. O’Connor said.
Ms O’Connor said pets even became control tools for abusers as they tried to keep survivors from leaving.
Beck O’Connor says survivors are often forced to leave their fellow animals behind. (ABC News: Michael Lloyd)
Family and domestic violence support services:
“Pets themselves are actually victims of domestic and family violence more often than you’d really like to know,” he said.
“Animals are a really important part of a family: they provide unconditional love, they provide companionship, they provide security, and they provide a real sense of connection.
“People who use violence take advantage of this care and love and connection to animals. They will often use them with threats of harm or actual harm.”
Through an 18-year partnership between the RSPCA and DV Connect, the Pets in Crisis program annually provides emergency housing to about 300 animals whose adopted families escape domestic violence.
Bob the Dog with RSPCA caregivers, DVConnect CEO Beck O’Connor and Attorney General Shannon Fentiman. (Supplied by: Attorney General’s Office)
The additional funding announced today will almost double that capacity, adding more than 240 additional places per year.
RSPCA head of animal experience Nanda Ten-Grotenhuis said additional funding was much needed.
“We have dogs of all sizes – puppies, cats, kittens, it could even be a goat or a bunch of chickens that we take care of,” Ms. Ten-Grotenhuis said.
Although the service usually offers 28 days of emergency accommodation, Ms. Ten-Grotenhuis said some pets needed to stay longer. (ABC News: Michael Lloyd)
“We are very busy. We are discovering that people are struggling to find accommodation where they can bring pets, although there are big initiatives.
Although the service usually offers 28 days of emergency accommodation, Ms. Ten-Grotenhuis said some pets should stay longer.
“The program would prevent animals from giving up because it gives people a chance to find accommodation, and we all know how difficult it is in general these days,” Ms. Ten-Grotenhuis said.
“For someone who is leaving this type of home situation that is no longer safe and has to move with children and all the things that go with it, it is usually difficult to find a rental that accepts pets. We offer this time for this to happen. . “
Attorney General Shannon Fentiman said the program was a “game changer” for women victims of domestic violence.
“We know that 25% of women who have experienced domestic violence who have a pet often will not abandon the violent relationship because they are concerned about the well-being of their pets in their family,” Ms Fentiman said.
“We are seeing many more women who want to get out of a violent relationship.
“We must do our best to make sure they feel safe leaving this relationship.
“This reassurance, knowing that the family’s pet is safe, is wonderful news.”
Pets are actually the victims of domestic and family violence more often than people think. (ABC News: Ciara Jones)