Pet Safety for Victims of Abuse
Pets are part of the family, and in homes where there is violence, they are just as much at risk as the human members of the household. Animal abuse is often an indicator that other types of abuse occur in the home, such as domestic violence. An abuser will use beloved pets as a means of controlling family members, often threatening, injuring or even killing the pet. Victims may delay leaving an abusive relationships for fear of leaving their furry family member behind.
Grace Smith House partners with a local animal shelter to ensure everyone in the family receives shelter. No one deserves to be abused and no one deserves to be left behind.
Grace Smith House partners with a local animal shelter to ensure everyone in the family receives shelter. No one deserves to be abused and no one deserves to be left behind.
Know the Signs
- An abuser will restrict a family pet's access to food, shelter, and medical assistance
- An abuser will threaten or directly harm the pet
- An abuser will not allow anyone else to make important decisions regarding the pet, including whether or not the family gets to keep the pet
- An abuser will use the loss of a pet to blame their partner and make them feel they are not good caregivers
- An abuser will use a family pet in any way they can to control the behavior and actions of their partners, including keeping the victim in an abusive relations
Leaving with a Pet
Similar to preparing yourself and any children to leave, you should make a safety plan for your pet, preparing all the necessary materials. An abuser may attempt to control your pet in order to intimidate you, so it is important to have the necessary materials to show ownership of the pet. You can provide your pet's license, vaccination records, veterinary receipts in your name, or microchip records under your name as proof of ownership.
What materials should you prepare?
We can assist you in finding safety for you and all those you love. when you call our 24-hour crisis hotline, be sure to tell us if you have a pet which needs shelter, and we will explain our referral process. Please understand that because of health codes, your pet cannot stay with you at shelter, and must stay with our animal shelter partner. Your pet will not be adopted out.
Similar to preparing yourself and any children to leave, you should make a safety plan for your pet, preparing all the necessary materials. An abuser may attempt to control your pet in order to intimidate you, so it is important to have the necessary materials to show ownership of the pet. You can provide your pet's license, vaccination records, veterinary receipts in your name, or microchip records under your name as proof of ownership.
What materials should you prepare?
- Vaccination and medical records
- Medications, if any
- License or adoption records
- Favorite toys or blanket, etc
- Carrier for small dogs and all cats
- Written information such as medical conditions and any possible behavior problems.
We can assist you in finding safety for you and all those you love. when you call our 24-hour crisis hotline, be sure to tell us if you have a pet which needs shelter, and we will explain our referral process. Please understand that because of health codes, your pet cannot stay with you at shelter, and must stay with our animal shelter partner. Your pet will not be adopted out.
