PetRetreat

PetRetreat is our advice and pet fostering service for families fleeing domestic abuse.

Since its beginning in 2002, PetRetreat has helped 500 families and 600 pets - all victims of domestic abuse.
 

Through its network of animal fosterers, the service takes care of pets belonging to families who are going into a refuge until such time as the owner has a new, safe place to live, when they can be reunited.

Silent victims

PetRetreat was established in collaboration with Women's Aid, an organisation that supports the victims of domestic abuse, who were concerned about the other silent sufferers - pets.

It is becoming more apparent that family pets are being used as a tool to manipulate and control victims of domestic abuse. Information suggests that one of the reasons that women are not leaving their abusive partners and are going into refugees is due to the fear of leaving their pets behind.

Pets are used as a way of controlling the victim either by threatening to harm the animals if they leave, or by actually hurting the animal in front of the victim.

Domestic abuse

Each year, thousands of men, women and children are affected by domestic abuse. This can be physical, emotional, psychological or sexual.

It is estimated that one in four women will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives, and partners or ex-partners kill, on average, more than two women each week in the UK.

Find out what to do if you are experiencing domestic abuse, read our help for sufferers.