“Why don’t they just leave?”
It’s a common question people pose about domestic violence and, while there are many reasons that a survivor may feel trapped in an abusive situation or delay leaving, one barrier to finding safety is a lack of pet-friendly shelters.
For so many, pets are family, and to leave them behind would be traumatic and potentially harmful, but currently, only 15% of domestic violence shelters in the nation house survivors and pets together.
The human-animal bond offers powerful emotional and physical benefits, and for those who have experienced the trauma of abuse, a bond with a pet can also play an important role in the healing process.
In a recent study conducted by Urban Resource Institute and The National Domestic Violence Hotline, 91% of domestic survivor respondents said that their pets’ emotional support and physical protection are significant in their ability to survive and heal.
Pets can also play a major role in reducing stress. Studies have shown that spending just five minutes with a dog can:
- Decrease anxiety, and lower heart rate and blood pressure
- Increase production of b-endorphin, which lessens depression
- Increase oxytocin, which is beneficial in helping anxiety, depression, autism and IBS
- Increase dopamine, which stimulates learning and attention, increases motivation, helps regulate heart rate, blood vessel function, kidney function, lactation, sleep, and mood
Supporting domestic violence survivors and their pets helps build trust and confidence, and provides an opportunity for positive engagement with the survivor (an important piece of the trauma-informed care model).
Pets can also bring a sense of safety, normalcy, and self-worth for their pet parents.
Not only does the survivor benefit from having their beloved pets onsite with them as a source of comfort, but other survivors and shelter staff may benefit as well. One executive director recently shared with us that having pets in shelter “takes all the negative out of the house.” Both survivors and staff are able to stay positive and focused on moving forward, whatever that looks like for each individual.
Through the Purple Leash Project partnership with Purina, we are working to ensure that 25% of domestic violence shelters are pet-friendly by 2025. “Pet-friendly” in this case means that pets of domestic violence survivors are welcome, in addition to service animals, which are not considered pets, and emotional support animals.
Wondering how you can get involved? Here are a few ways to help raise awareness about this issue during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and beyond:
- Be vocal and spread the word. Advocate for your neighbors with pets who may be
struggling with abuse by raising awareness about the lack of pet-friendly options for domestic violence survivors. Visit RedRover.org/dvhelp to stay informed of all the ways
to get involved. - Ask your local DV shelter how you can help. Reach out to your local domestic violence shelter to see how you might be able to help the survivors in their care. Find out if your local shelter accepts pets now or is interested in resources to become pet-friendly (if so, tell them about RedRover’s grants). A domestic violence shelter may have a variety of needs for the survivors they serve, from volunteers to donations of clothing, diapers, toys, and other comfort items for people and pets.
Visit DontForgetThePets.org to learn how to create effective, sustainable pet housing programs for people and pets in need through this step-by-step program.
Nicole Forsyth is president and CEO of RedRover, a non-profit organization that focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the human-animal bond through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. She writes For the Love of Pets for the Bay Area News Group. Send questions to petpalconnection@bayareanewsgroup.com.
