Georgia may soon be the 42nd state to include pets in temporary protective orders, ensuring their safety during situations of domestic abuse.
House Bill 177, introduced on January 29, aims to provide provisions for household pets in both family violence and dating violence protective orders. If passed, the proposed bill would allow courts to grant custody of household pets to individuals seeking protective orders and prohibit respondents from harassing, harming, taking, or hiding survivors’ pets.
“When pets are included in protective order petitions, individuals are more likely to seek relief from intimate partner violence, promptly, without the fear of endangering themselves or their cherished pets.”
Often referred to as “restraining orders,” temporary protective orders offer an important legal avenue for survivors of domestic violence to seek freedom from abuse. Unfortunately, pets have historically been left out of these protections, leaving many survivors scrambling to ensure their safety.
“When pets are included in protective order petitions, individuals are more likely to seek relief from intimate partner violence, promptly, without the fear of endangering themselves or their cherished pets,” Karimah Dillard, Director of Policy with the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence shared in a recent interview with WSBTV Atlanta.
Indeed, 71% of pet-owning women who were surveyed entering shelter, reported that their abuser had injured, killed, or threatened their pet. As a result, more than half of all pet-owning survivors say that they would not seek shelter for themselves if they could not take their pet with them.
While House Bill 177 offers an essential legal framework for survivors of violence to protect their pets, it’s not the only way that advocates in Georgia are breaking new ground. Approximately 30% of domestic violence shelters in the state are now pet-friendly, placing them well ahead of the national average of 19%. Joining them this year is LiveSafe Resources in Marietta.
Pictured: A staff member’s dog explores the new pet sanctuary at LiveSafe
“It’s an opportunity for us to remove the barrier to those who are seeking safety away from their abuser.”
LiveSafe is currently finishing construction of their new on-site pet sanctuary. When complete, the sanctuary will house up to four families’ pets in mini apartment-style units, each equipped with heating and air conditioning, an outdoor space, sofas, and even a TV.
“It’s an opportunity for us to remove the barrier to those who are seeking safety away from their abuser,” says LiveSafe CEO Lisa Mello.
Lisa’s team joined the Don’t Forget the Pets coaching program in 2023 and worked with representatives from RedRover and Greater Good Charities to create a construction plan, draft pet policies, and apply for grant funding. In 2024, they received $60,000 in RedRover Safe Housing grant funds as well as a Rescue Rebuild renovation grant to help complete their project.
Soon, pet owners in Georgia will have another option for safe, accessible shelter from abuse. If House Bill 177 passes, they will also be able to access stronger legal protections. Together, these initiatives may usher in a new, safer future for domestic violence survivors across the state.
Danielle Works is the Community Engagement Manager for RedRover. With more than 10 years of experience in animal welfare, Danielle consults with shelters throughout the country to identify collaborative solutions for pets and owners in crisis. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.
