Worrying figures released by Dogs Trust and Cats Protection shows that the number of people fleeing domestic abuse and seeking support for their pets is on the rise in London and the South East.
From January to September this year Dogs Trust has seen a 59% increase in dogs being referred through its Freedom Project, compared to the same period last year, with Cats Protection seeing a 58% increase in referrals and fostering 32% more cats through Paws Protect service during the same time frames.
Together, the charities have fostered 1,930 pets in London and the South East through their specialist domestic abuse services, both of which support people fleeing domestic abuse by providing temporary foster homes for their dogs and cats. These sobering statistics demonstrate just how vital the services are as both charities experience a growing demand year on year.
Pets are often abused and, in some cases, killed by the perpetrator of domestic abuse in order to control and coerce. In addition to the physical abuse that pets may suffer, Dogs Trust found that 97%2 of professionals working in the domestic abuse sector also said that animals are often used as a means of controlling someone experiencing domestic abuse.
In 2004 Dogs Trust launched its Freedom Project in London, offering vital support for dog owners escaping from domestic abuse working in partnership with Cats Protection to offer foster homes for cats too. In 2017 the Freedom Project and Cats Protection strengthened their partnership in the South East when the charity launched their own specialist service for cats, Paws Protect. The projects work collaboratively to provide foster homes for pets, enabling survivors to access safe accommodation without the fear of what may happen to their pet if left behind. As many refuges are unable to accept pets, these important services give survivors the opportunity to escape abuse, safe in the knowledge that their pets will also be safe and well cared for. Both services, along with sister-organisations Refuge4Pets and Endeavour, are members of the Links Pet Fostering Group, a coalition of specialist domestic abuse pet fostering services which operate under best practice and safety standards to ensure victim-survivors and their pets receive the best possible support.
The Freedom Project and Paws Protect currently operate in partnership across London and the South East. This year the projects will have fostered 1,930 pets across the area since they both launched (Freedom in 2004 and Paws Protect in 2017).
Amy Hyde, Paws Protect Manager said:
“Cats Protection has seen a 58% increase in referrals to our specialist domestic abuse cat fostering service, Paws Protect, so we know just how important it is for survivors to ensure that their cats will also be safe when they access refuge or emergency housing,
“The bond that we have with our cats is so important and sadly this can be exploited by perpetrators, with many pets physically harmed or threatened with abuse as a tool to coerce and control.
“We are proud to support this 16 days of action against gender-based violence. Already, Paws Protect has supported over 1,000 cats and their families escaping domestic abuse. Those aren’t just numbers. They are families who were able to find safety and were able to rebuild their lives with their animals.
“The number of cats we have cared for this year has increased by 32% and we want to ensure that we are here for each and every cat who needs us, but we can only do this with the support of our amazing volunteer foster carers.
“If you might be able to offer a foster home to a cat escaping domestic abuse, please get in touch. Your support could mean that you’re not only helping a cat, but you’re also supporting a family to find safety too”
