Domestic violence and animal cruelty

Research clearly shows that offenders of domestic violence often have a pattern of abuse involving all members of the household – including children and pets. When victims of domestic violence seek to escape their abusive homes they’re not only faced with the challenge of finding shelter for themselves and their children, but also for their pets.

Unfortunately, many shelters do not have the means to house companion animals and many domestic abuse victims are left facing the difficult decision to either leave their pets behind or remain in the abusive environment. Sadly, many victims stay in abusive homes for fear of subjecting their animals to continued abuse, if left behind. Equally disturbing, animals are often left with their abusers to face torture or even death.

What is UAN doing?
United Animal Nations (UAN) offers assistance for victims of domestic violence and their pets through our Crisis Relief for Individuals grant program. This program provides financial assistance for veterinary care, transportation and boarding to enable domestic violence victims to leave their batterers without having to leave their pets behind.

So far in 2010, UAN has awarded more than $1,000 to help care for and shelter animals displaced by family violence. For example, one woman and her one-year-old daughter sought shelter at their local YWCA after facing mental and physical abuse by a live-in boyfriend. But before the family could be accepted into a transitional living program, their pet Chihuahua needed to be spayed and vaccinated. A UAN LifeLine Crisis Relief Grant covered these services, enabling the family to stay together and live free of abuse.

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Relevant statistics on domestic violence and animal abuse:

• 52 percent of victims in shelters leave their pets with their batterers (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
• Up to 40 percent of domestic violence victims are unable to escape their abusers because they are concerned about what will happen to their pets when they leave (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
• In a study of 57 families being treated for incidents of child abuse, 88 percent also had records of animal abuse (California Veterinary Medical Association)
• 71 percent of pet-owning women entering women’s shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 32 percent reported their children had hurt or killed animals (American Humane)

While most domestic violence shelters do not provide on-site shelter for animals, programs exist that help connect pet owners with safe animal havens.

Domestic violence programs offering both off-site and on-site sheltering for victims and their pets:

• American Humane: Pets and Women's Shelters (PAWS)® Program
• The Humane Society of the United States:  Online Directory of Safe Havens for Animals™ Programs

Other resources:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence
• National Network to End Domestic Violence
• Office on Violence Against Women
• Pet-Abuse.com
• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Legislation related to pets and protective orders:

Many states have enacted legislation to include pets in protection orders in cases of domestic abuse. Is your state one of them? Learn more >>