- More pet foster carers sought to help break the cycle of domestic violence
- The Pets in Crisis program has supported 156 families and 238 pets to find safety from domestic violence
- State Government has committed $1.34 million to the program since 2017
As part of the 16 Days in WA campaign, Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton and the RSPCA WA are encouraging more pet lovers to volunteer to play their part and foster a pet to help victim-survivors of family and domestic violence.
The Pets in Crisis program was introduced in 2017 by the Labor Government to support people escaping family and domestic violence by providing temporary foster care for their pets.
Victim-survivors often delay leaving due to fears of what may happen to their pets.
This free program gives victim-survivors peace of mind that their pets will be safely and anonymously looked after while they seek support to leave domestic violence.
Under the program, pets are temporarily homed with anonymous foster families and the RSPCA covers all food and vet expenses to ensure the pets receive the very best love and care.
Pets are reunited with their owners once suitable accommodation has been found.
Since its inception, the program has supported 156 families and 238 pets to find safety from domestic violence.
Many volunteers have generously opened their homes to pets in need since the program began.
The average length of stay for pets currently in the foster program is 143 days, with the longest stay being 240 days or approximately eight months.
The Labor Government has committed $1.34 million since it started in 2017.
In 2021, a four-year funding agreement of $1 million was announced to expand the program to the South West and Great Southern.
16 Days in WA is the annual State Government campaign raising awareness to stop violence against women.
Now in its seventh year, the 2023 theme is 'Play Your Part'.
The campaign runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
"We know that more than a third of victim-survivors will delay leaving a domestic violence situation because they're worried about putting their pets at risk.
"And 70 per cent of victim-survivors report their pets have been abused by a perpetrator.
"This is why our Government introduced the Pets in Crisis program and why I am calling on pet lovers to join the Pets in Crisis program.
"The more foster carers we have involved in this program, the more we can help victim-survivors and their pets find safety from domestic violence.
"Knowing their furry friends are being cared for can give peace of mind during these incredibly difficult times.
"We also know that post-crisis, being reunited with their pets is so important in helping victim-survivors and children on the pathway to recovery we know the unconditional love of animals is so important in healing."
Comments attributed to RSPCA WA Chair Lynne Bradshaw:
"It's terrible to think so many people delay leaving a violent situation because they're concerned for the safety of their pets.
"Pets in Crisis helps alleviate one more potential barrier to a person finding safety.
"At RSPCA WA we are proud to deliver this program and thank the State Government for their continued funding commitment to what I view as an essential service.
"I want to extend a big thank youto our Pets in Crisis foster carers who enable pets to spend time in a loving home environment while they wait for their owners to get back on their feet."
