In the next twelve months over 50,000 Victorian pets will become victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Studies report many different types of violence being directed towards the animals of those living in violent family situations: from cats being smacked and kicked; to dogs being thrown off porches; to burying dogs alive.*

Just last week a small fox terrier was brought in to the emergency room of Lort Smith showing obvious signs of abuse. It had a broken leg, a fractured pelvis and internal bleeding caused from what appeared to be multiple blows to the abdomen.  Unfortunately intervention and veterinarian care came too late for this dog and it was humanely put to sleep.

The statistics are sad and shocking

• According to research recently quoted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies 44% of women entering a refuge reported that their abuser had harmed or threatened to harm their pet.
• While 48% said that worry over the fate of their pet was a significant factor in delaying them taking up a refuge place*

In fact over 50% of perpetrators of violence in the home will also abuse the family pet.

Most refuges won’t accept animals either. And not surprisingly, many women in this situation cannot afford to pay for their pet to stay in a commercial boarding kennel while they seek refuge.

As a result women often stay in potentially violent and explosive environments for fear of leaving the pet behind with the abuser.

Dr Mary Noseda of The Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service, which receives 25,000 calls a year, tells us:

“We know, from the calls to our helpline, that some women will not leave the home because they are afraid of leaving the pet and very few of the state’s 21 refuges will take pets.”

As one woman explained, she would rather stay in a violent relationship than risk her pet’s welfare or hurt her children any further:

“I was a victim of domestic violence for seven and a half years as were my children. We have always had pets and lots of them – they were and still are part of our family. In my case, staying at home and suffering beatings on a daily basis became more acceptable to me than leaving with the children without their pets, for doing that would have broken their hearts, and I would have felt it was my decision to hurt them.”*

Animals trapped in violent domestic situations
cannot escape without our help

Dedicated statewide transport services for the rescue of animals from violent domestic situations already operate in Queensland and NSW. But no such service exists across Victoria.

To fund this vital program we are appealing for help.

For as little as thirty two cents a day you can help our dedicated staff:

• Provide veterinarian care for abused and traumatised animals
• Establish a transport service that will remove animals from violent situations
• Look after pets until a time when they can be safely reunited with their families
• Or find a new home for the pet if return to the family is not possible

But we need to act now to help these animals in need.

For the last 75 years Lort Smith has served the community by looking after animals that have nowhere else to turn. We do this without any government funding and rely on the support of the community to fund our animal welfare work.

As little as $10 a month (just thirty two cents a day) will make an enormous contribution to the welfare of the thousands of animals at risk of harm.

To make a donation simply download a donation form and return by fax to 9321 7211 or call 9321 7286.

All donations over $2 are now fully tax deductible.

*Child Abuse,Domestic Violence & Animal Abuse. N.Taylor. NCPC Newsletter Vol.12 No.1, Winter 2004