You can play many roles in supporting domestic violence survivors and their pets in your community. Including:
Collaboration is key! We’ll give you some basic information to get you started, but it’s important that you connect with local domestic violence organizations in your area to learn more about how you can support their efforts.
Learn more about the importance of collaboration in our training handbook.
One of the first steps in helping survivors and their pets is to learn more about domestic violence and the link between human and animal violence.
Survivors of domestic violence face an incredible amount of judgement based on the question, “Why don’t they just leave?” This is a complex issue and there are many reasons why a survivor may delay or not leave an abuser.
There’s a high likelihood that you will come into contact with a survivor and their pet, so it’s important that you understand the many barriers to safety for survivors including:
In addition, leaving an abuser may be the most dangerous time for the survivor.
Some survivors report that their abuser became violent only after they ended the relationship according to DomesticShelters.org.
Separating from, or threatening to separate from, were most often the precipitating events that led to the murder of wives by their husbands in one study.
Battered Women’s Support Services reported that 77% of domestic violence-related homicides occur upon separation and there is a 75% increase of violence for up to 2 years after leaving.
Check out the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s article, “Why do victims stay?” to learn more.
Approximately 70% of survivors in shelters report that their abuser used a pet as a means of power and control and, in a recent study, 76% reported noticeable changes in their pets’ behavior as a result of abuse. In addition, survivors residing in homes with an abuser who has a history of pet abuse are at an increased risk of harm or injury.
What does this mean? Approximately 50% of survivors delay leaving an abuser if they can’t take their pet with them, and one study found that 25% of survivors returned to an abuser out of concern for their pet.
Not only does this create a barrier to safety for survivors and their pets, it also means that organizations are missing a valuable tool for healing: 91% of survivors shared that their pets play a significant role in their ability to survive and heal.
Learn more about the Link and the human-animal bond in our training handbook.
Connecting with your local domestic violence organization is an important step in supporting survivors and pets in your community. We’ve provided some basic information below but they can provide more specific training to you and clinic staff on domestic violence and how to recognize the signs. In addition, work with them to create a plan for how you’ll respond when you do suspect domestic violence.
Potential signs of abuse in your patients may include:
Here are some resources to help you learn more:
National Link Coalition: Veterinary Medicine and the Link
AVMA: Animal abuse resources for veterinarians
Today’s Veterinary Practice: “Identifying Signs of Animal Abuse”
The abuse of pets may be used as a means of power and control by the abuser. The abuser may:
Download and share the “8 signs that may indicate an abusive relationship” infographic.
Some sample questions to ask if you suspect domestic violence:
Sample responses:
It’s important that you work with a domestic violence organization to create for a plan for how you’ll respond. This could include setting up “code words” for staff, creating a safe place for survivors to connect with resources, etc.
Visit SafePlaceForPets.org to find pet programs throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The National Link Coalition offers general information about mandated reporting including a national directory of abuse investigative agencies.
In addition, the AVMA provides additional information regarding mandated reporting for veterinarians, including “abuse reporting requirements by state”.
Support a local pet program by providing:
SPECIAL NOTE: setting up paperwork in the survivor’s name can help establish ownership of the pet.
Some additional ways to support a local pet program:
Join us for a training workshop! You’ll learn from and connect with others interested in creating and sustaining pet programs designed to keep people and pets together.
How can you support people and pets experiencing a crisis? Connect with a community of nonprofit experts, providers, and beneficiaries through a safe, online forum.
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