“If you are thinking about buying a pet for Christmas, consider fostering one instead,” urged local AM Joyce Watson today.Joyce is supporting PetRetreat, an RSPCA scheme to help people and animals escape domestic abuse.
“As a dog lover, and as a parent of dog lovers, I know how hard it would be to walk away from a situation where I had to leave a pet behind, yet that is exactly what happens to many people fleeing domestic abuse.”
It is estimated that one in four women will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives and more than two women are killed by partners or ex-partners each week in the UK. Yet family pets can be used as a tool to manipulate and control victims by, for instance, threatening to harm the animals if they leave.
The majority of refuges do not take pets, so the RSPCA set up a fostering service to ensure that fear for their pets is not a consideration for those leaving violent situations.
When a family find a refuge, the RSPCA give the animal a health check and any other necessary treatments then place them with fosterers. This is typically for around six months though it can be longer. There is no contact between the owner and the fosterer but PetRetreat give regular updates to monitor progress. Once the owner of the animal finds a new place to live the animal is returned to them.
Mrs Watson added: “Many people will be thinking of getting a pet over the Christmas period. Why not consider fostering one instead, and help an animal in need?”
For advice or to find out more about the RSPCA’s PetRetreat service, call 0300 123 8278, email petretreat@rspca.org.uk or visit www.rspca-petretreat.com
National domestic violence helpline: 0808 2000247
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