{"id":13061,"date":"2024-10-02T04:49:11","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T04:49:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.godj.com\/news\/how-do-you-flee-when-you-have-pets\/"},"modified":"2024-10-02T04:49:12","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T04:49:12","slug":"how-do-you-flee-when-you-have-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.godj.com\/news\/how-do-you-flee-when-you-have-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you flee when you have pets?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Tess is one of the dogs being looked after by the Dogs Trust, along with others whose owners have fled domestic violence<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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“If you\u2019re not an animal lover you don\u2019t understand. They kept me alive.”<\/p>\n

Claudia suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her ex-partner, but stayed in order to protect her pets.<\/p>\n

Research from the charity Cats Protection found that out of 31 women\u2019s refuges and domestic abuse organisations in Wales it surveyed, none would take pets alongside their owners fleeing abuse.<\/p>\n

Welsh Women\u2019s Aid said this highlighted a need for “comprehensive support systems” that address all aspects of survivors\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Of the refuges asked, only 27% said they would consider allowing pets under “limited circumstances”.<\/p>\n

Pets are often a source of comfort for people experiencing domestic abuse, but they can act as a barrier to accessing safety too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Claudia – not her real name – had several pets with her former partner in south Wales until they began to be used as a way of controlling her finances – a common form of coercive control<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019d have my bank card taken off me if one of the animals were ill so I couldn\u2019t take them to the vet,” she said.<\/p>\n

“He didn\u2019t want money wasted on them.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Judith and Mark foster dogs for women who are escaping domestic abuse until they have a safe place to live<\/figcaption><\/p>\n
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Claudia was solely responsible for their animals, partly so she could be blamed if they fell sick and partly so she was left with no money for herself.<\/p>\n

Once, her partner threatened to take one pet to his friend to be shot, rather than allow her to take it to a vet.<\/p>\n

Threats to the animals’ lives “were regular” in order to keep her tied to the relationship, she said.<\/p>\n

“I stayed and protected the animals for years. We were stuck and I just had to do anything I could to keep them safe.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Both Lifeline and Dogs Trust\u2019s Freedom service cover all costs that come with looking after an animal while their owners are seeking safety<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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This year, more than 150 survivors told Welsh Women\u2019s Aid their pets would be in danger if they left their abusive relationships.<\/p>\n

Now, leading animal charities have launched fostering services in Wales specifically for people fleeing domestic abuse to find safe temporary homes for their pets while they seek safety.<\/p>\n

Jules, one of the fosterers for Cats Protection, said: “I think about the position that animal would be in.<\/p>\n

“A family could suddenly be made homeless and they can\u2019t think about pets. They can\u2019t take that cat with them.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jules is one of the people who has been fostering animals of those seeking refuge<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Cats Protection opened its first Lifeline base in Wales in March after receiving an increasing number of referrals.<\/p>\n

“So far this year, we’ve helped over 30 cats, meaning 16 owners of those cats could reach safety,” said the charity’s Charlie Munden.<\/p>\n

Both Lifeline and Dogs Trust\u2019s Freedom service cover all costs that come with looking after an animal while their owners are seeking safety.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Charlie Munden is Lifeline\u2019s service manager in Wales<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Stephanie Grimshaw of Welsh Women\u2019s Aid said survivors were “not just someone who has gone through violence against women and girls”.<\/p>\n

“They are someone who has a dog , a cat or a hamster… and the thought of giving them away forever is too much,” she added.<\/p>\n

“We need to make sure that when we’re supporting survivors they are seen as a whole person with all aspects of their life, and not just what they’re going through right now.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Now, after having to temporarily relocate her animals while she found a safe home, Claudia and her pets are free.<\/p>\n

“We can go for a walk now and not have to worry that someone following us or that someone is going to try and steal them from me.<\/p>\n

“There were times were you think \u2018I can\u2019t live like this anymore\u2019, but they need you – so you\u2019ve got to.<\/p>\n

“I owe it to them to keep them safe, because they kept me alive.”<\/p>\n