The Pets in Peril Domestic Violence Service is a new initiative in Victoria to provide safety and shelter for pet animals belonging to women who are escaping domestic violence. A partnership has been established between the Eastern Domestic Violence Service and Animal Aid to assist women living in the Eastern region of Melbourne. The program is not funded at this stage. It is hoped that other agencies will join together to cover the Metropolitan area and country regions in the State.

Research both here in Victoria and in North America has established that pet animals are threatened and abused in order to coerce and control women to remain in violent relationships. Women’s refuges in Victoria are based on a communal model and it is not possible to house the companion animals. It is a known fact that women delay leaving because of concern for the safety of their animals.  A solution to this obstacle needed to be found and as a result the Pets in Peril Service was launched in August this year.  Women have been accessing the service and a delightful variety of pets are now in shelter. Women and children can now leave knowing that their pets will be safe and that they will be reunited in the future.

Pets in Peril is a collaboration between the Eastern Domestic Violence Service, Animal Aid and a network of participating veterinary clinics in the Eastern area. Referrals are accepted from Police, women’s refuges and other family support agencies in the Eastern region providing the woman is escaping domestic violence. All referrals must be coordinated by the Intake Worker at the Eastern Domestic Violence Service; she will be in direct contact with the woman and can tell her the location of a veterinary clinic willing to take the animal/s. The veterinary clinic has agreed, as part of the model, to hold the animal/s for up to twenty four hours, free of charge until Animal Aid is alerted by the Eastern Domestic Violence Service to collect the animal for boarding. 

Presently in Victoria a Common Risk Assessment form is being designed for agencies that might be approached by women who have experienced domestic violence. It has been recommended that women should be asked if their companion animals have been threatened or harmed. Victoria Police are keeping statistics on pet abuse in domestic violence situations and this will give us new data on the prevalence of animal abuse.

It is vital that animal welfare agencies and domestic violence agencies form a closer working relationship. For example, a woman may bring an injured animal to the veterinary clinic but the injury is not consistent with the explanation given. The veterinarian could ask if things are all right at home. If the woman discloses that there is violence happening then a referral to a domestic violence service could be given.

Domestic violence, child abuse and animal abuse are interwoven in violent relationships and a multi-disciplinary approach is required to intervene and assist the
multiple victims of violence.