66% of victim-survivors of domestic abuse will delay leaving, stay or return to an abusive relationship if they cannot take their pets with them. Refuge4Pets is an award-winning charity that enables freedom from domestic abuse across Devon and Cornwall.
The charity’s purpose is to remove a significant barrier that prevents victim-survivors from escaping domestic abuse. Often individuals and families escaping are unable to take their much-loved pets with them, as most temporary accommodation does not allow animals. In many cases, this will stop people from leaving.
Refuge4Pets provides a free, confidential and specialist animal fostering service so that victim-survivors of domestic abuse can escape to safety.
They also provide training and resources to a wide range of professionals to help them to understand the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse and how to promote the safety of all victim-survivors of domestic abuse, both humans and animals.
I dread to think where I would be if Charlie had not been fostered. I was in such a low place and didn’t see a way out. I could not handle another beating. Charlie was the only reason I could not leave’