New Programs Take in Domestic-Abuse Victims and their Pets

Every day a news story is reported about women or children who are victims of abuse. Often these people have been victims for years, but stay in the abusive relationship because they don't have anywhere else to go. And if they do, they hesitate for fear of repercussions against other family members - namely, their pets.

One out of every four women is a victim of domestic violence. Since 71-million homes have pets, many of them will be victims of violence. Cases of domestic violence in which the family pet is the intended victim also involved spousal, child, and elder abuse. Until recently, if a woman didn't have a relative or friend who could temporarily house their family pet, they'd be left behind or relinquished permanently to a shelter. This was traumatic for the family and for the cat or dog who couldn't understand why their family went away and left them. Often a pet who was usually friendly became withdrawn and shy, and was difficult to re-home.

This is yet another tragedy for pets who deserve to stay with their families. Fortunately there is hope for abuse victims and their pets. New programs are being implemented that allow pets to be placed temporarily until their owners have relocated and are able to bring their pets home permanently. Maine, New York and Vermont have passed laws that state that family pets are included in protective court orders in domestic violence cases. Animals as well as spouses will now be protected under the law from abusers. If shelter operators, rescue groups, and communities advocate for laws to be passed in every state, more families would get the help they need when they're in abusive situations. Shelters across the country are now offering off-site, temporary placement for pets while their owners are housed in shelters. However, there have been very few facilities that offered on-site housing for pets of abuse victims.