Pet Fostering

Pathway Project is known for supporting women and children who are fleeing domestic abuse in our refuges, via the 24 hour helpline, or in some cases remaining in their homes, and are supported through our outreach drop in centre The Hope Centre and staff.

The children are often silent victims where abuse occurs, and they can witness or be victims of abusive perpetrators. There are measures in place to help support these children, and legislation that also helps to try and protect them from harm.

But there can be other innocent victims of domestic abuse, these are the pets that live in an environment where abuse occurs. Very often pets can be hurt either when they are caught in the crossfire, or intentionally by the perpetrator of the abuse, as a means of controlling their victims.

This can be devastating to a family, and for a child especially to witness their beloved pet being hurt. Research conducted shows that 66% of abusers have threatened to harm pets and 94% of women said they would have left if they had known about pet fostering as it would have been easier to leave the violence.

Not having someone to look after her pet, can mean that a woman may decide to stay with the perpetrator, rather than risk any further harm coming to it, she may feel she has no choice. This can put her at further risk. However, the cost to place an animal in a kennel etc, even short term, can exclude a lot of families and although there are very worthwhile charities that can sometimes help, places are very few and far between.