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This is a continuation of ICADV’s technical assistance communications spotlighting information that helps to inform domestic violence services providers how they can maximize the resources available to them.

TOPIC: Importance of Pet Sheltering and How to Make it Happen

TIMELINE: 1 Week

Importance of Pet Sheltering and

How to Make it Happen

People love pets—whether they have a pet themselves or simply love seeing photos and videos online of them, people love their little furry companions. Nowadays, it’s become the norm for pets to go to daycare, have freshly prepared meals, even matching apparel with their human family. Many people bond with their pets in a way they would their own child; but what if you were forced to leave them behind where their safety was at risk and you didn’t know what would happen to them, didn’t know if you were to see them alive ever again?

This is the struggle that many survivors of domestic violence face when fleeing. In fact, a study showed that 97% of survivors reported that keeping pets was an important factor when seeking shelter. Furthermore, half of those survivors stated they would not consider shelter for themselves without their pet. On top of all of that, as many as 25% of survivors will return to the person causing harm because they are using the animal to get the survivor back (ASPCA). For people that have been in the field for a while, this is not new information. But does beg the question, “What can we do about pets in shelter?”

While many programs recognize the importance and need for pet sheltering, there are many programs who might have administrative questions that need to be addressed before they take the plunge. Luckily, providing answers for those questions (plus resources!) is just what the ICADV Technical Assistance Team does.

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If an animal is coming into shelter there are two main points to touch on; first being photos that are posted online or shared with loved ones. It is highly encouraged that while in shelter, photos of the animal are not shared and if they are, they do not have any identifiable landmarks within the photo. Secondly, if the pet is microchipped then the person choosing harm may be able to locate the pet. Encourage clients to call the microchip manufacturer and have them disable the microchip so the pet cannot be located.

➤ How to Build Equity and Inclusion in Your Services - April 2024

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