5th May 2008

Help Pets Fleeing Violence

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As the RSPCA's PetRetreat scheme approaches its sixth anniversary on 1 June 2008, the Society is appealing for more fosterers to help shelter the pets of people fleeing domestic violence.

The scheme, which began in Bristol in 2002, aims to fill the gaps left by domestic violence refuges, most of which cannot take in pets due to health and safety concerns.

It helps victims of domestic violence to escape their situation, enabling them to turn to the RSPCA to look after their pets until they get back on their feet.

Pets are often victims of domestic abuse too

Sixty thousand women and children stay in refuges each year. It takes an average of seven years for a victim to leave an abusive partner, with many being unwilling to leave without there being a place of safety for their pets.

Pets are frequently threatened, injured or killed by the perpetrators as a means of frightening and intimidating their partners and children.

Could you be a PetRetreat fosterer?

The scheme depends on the generosity of its animal fosterers and the RSPCA is now appealing for more fosterers in the following areas:

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Middlesex, Surrey and Wiltshire.

It takes a special person to become a PetRetreat fosterer, as a pet can come into their care for anything from a few days to several months. They mainly care for dogs and cats, but could potentially look after other breeds such as rabbits, guinea pigs or birds.

All animals are assessed before they go to a foster home. It is an immensely unsettling time for them and some, particularly dogs, may have behavioural problems due to their past life.

Fosterers must have patience and understanding to allow for the time and space that the animals need to adjust to their new surroundings. All fosterers should also have experience of owning a pet and may already have pets of their own.

RSPCA PetRetreat manager Carolyn Southwell says, "By helping these animals, we are in a position to be able to help the families involved. A human victim of domestic abuse once said to us, 'If I did not own pets then I would have left years ago.' Our scheme offers such victims a safe home for their animals for as long as they need it. If we can step in and break that cycle, we will be doing a tremendous amount to help both people and animals."

Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a PetRetreat fosterer is asked to contact RSPCA PetRetreat manager Carolyn Southwell on:

Telephone: 0300 123 8278.

Email: petretreat@rspca.org.uk

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