Leaving an abusive relationship is easier said than done, and almost always involves painful sacrifices. Sometimes, people stay in dangerous situations for this reason, or because they lack the resources to cover the potential costs of leaving.
One organization aims to alleviate the stress of leaving an abusive partner by offering a solution to one of the many factors that often prevent victims from starting over. Based in the U.K., Paws Protect is a non-profit that offers temporary foster care for pet cats while survivors of domestic violence focus on getting to safety and establishing a stable home away from their abuser.
For various reasons, having a cat often complicates the process of leaving an abusive partner. Often, landlords or shelters do not accept pets, and friends and family members are unable or unwilling to provide temporary housing. As a control method and to prevent their victim from leaving, abusers often threaten harm against pets. The person being abused must, therefore, choose between leaving their beloved cat with the abuser or staying with the abuser to avoid leaving the cat solely in their care.
The important services offered by Paws Protect enable victims of domestic violence to worry about one fewer thing on their already-full plates. In addition to fostering cats, the organization pays for the costs incurred during their stay, including food, vaccinations, and other pet supplies and medical care. When the cat’s owner has relocated and can safely accommodate their precious pet, their cat is returned to them.
Paws Protect is expanding and aims to help even more people and cats. To protect the privacy and safety of survivors, all cat fostering is kept strictly confidential. Referrals can be made through safe resources such as social workers, support workers, police, and pet owners themselves. Last year, the non-profit received over 100 referrals.
Domestic violence is alarmingly common throughout the world, and organizations like Paws Protect are imperative for helping people escape from abuse.
What’s New…
This is wonderful news and it is very overdue. More programs like this should be created to help those trying to escape horrible circumstances with the pets that they love. I’m proud to say that a shelter in my city just recently started accepting pets:
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/emergency-shelter-interval-house-of-ottawa-to-open-doors-to-pets
Kudos to those who understand that pets play in invaluable role in the lives of those experiencing domestic violence!
This is a great program!!!!
This is great. So true that people worry about leaving a bad situation because they worry about what the abuser may do to their pets. Thank goodness for this program. The US should work on establishing the same type of thing.
AWESOMENESS!!!THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUCH AN AMAZING AWESOME IDEA. WAY TO GO. TO THE DESPICABLE AHOLES WHO ABUSE THEIR LOVED ONES. YOU HAVE GIVEN UP YOUR RIGHT TO LIVE.
Alle Tiere müssen mit Respekt behandelt werden, ob süß, schön oder für uns unsympathisch oder ekelhaft. Darauf haben sie ALLE EIN RECHT. Ebenso auf unseren absoluten Schutz vor ALLEM schlechtem.
Schützt alle Tiere, ob süß, schön oder für uns unsympathisch und ekelhaft, sie haben ein RECHT auf Achtung und Respekt, und Schutz und Liebe von uns Menschen
I was married to a very abusive Physically and mentally and he brought in 2 pitt pups but he would often take his anger out on them and I managed to talk him into finding them a rescue or new home(I wanted them to be safe) So he then told me he is tired of the little B’s anyway told me take them to the Shelter Now! I have a small care so had to take 1 at time! After my 8yr old daughter and I had just walked out of shelter after leaving the1st(Bella) he called said have you got Lucy yet? I told him I am on my way to get her now and bring her in! He told me don’t he was gonna adopt Bella back out! I thought Now What! To my heart break he only did that to make me take them in to a rescue a couple days later! The mental and physical trauma he placed on them I could never imagine how they felt especially Bella dumped twice 🙁 Finally almost a yr later I was able to get myself and my daughter away! We need places like this for situations like this! Bella had to go through rehabilitations she had behavior issues that was no surprise she was always the primary target for his anger 🙁 They got good homes and are safe!
Just a wonderful program which will also save these dear cats’ lives in the long run. Up around w million cats a killed in shelters in the US alone per year. Let us all PLEASE GIVE A THOUGHT ONCE IN AWHILE TO THE INNOCENT ONES WHO NEVER ASK FOR ANYTHING BUT LOVE.
Excellent news!
This is one of my Top Five things to do that are so important to me, and so many others.
Thank you to Paws Protect and any other organization that helps women and their cats be safe.
We fostered a cat for a woman in an abusive relationship. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Hört auf Tiere zu quálen
WELTWEIT!!!
♡♡♡♡
So greatly appreciated!!
Must open program for ALL pets & women in this situation
♡♡♡
So greatful!! Must open shelter for all pets & women caught in this situation
Kazde ublizenie zvieratu treba trestat rovnako ako mu bolo unlizene! OKO ZA OKO, ZIVOT ZA ZIVOT!
Thank you so very much for this.
Fantastic. Would be nice with other animals too.
TO ALL that would like to see “other” pets included – you should realize that many areas do have fosters for dogs.
Cats are usually forgotten – they’re “only cats”. Paws Protect wouldn’t be doing this if there wasn’t a SPECIFIC NEED.
Too many cats are killed by abusers because it IS about control. Like the article says, victims must leave, and their cats pay with their lives. We’ve signed petitions here about this very thing. It is much easier to find emergency dog fosters. Sad, but true. So, please do not begrudge cats the little help they receive. They need all the help they can get.
I think Paws Protect is wonderful. I would love to see them go international.
What a wonderful idea paws protect. Hope this a happen for dogs as well.
Yes!!!
Should be a life sentence for cruelty to animals.
Yes there should.
The Monsters who commit cowardly, evil and sickening acts should be put away. They DO NOT DESERVE PSYCHIATRIC HELP. THEY ARE NOT WORTH ANY OF IT.
Ban the cruel and despicable past time of trophy hunting.
This posting has nothing to do with that.
How about a place for dogs. I won’t leave for this reason. Thanks for helping with this.
It can be very difficult to leave an abusive relationship when you have a special bond with your pet. You don’t want to leave it behind. Thankfully there are decent human beings who will take care of your special “child” until you get settled.
Sometimes a pet can be the best therapist to help you get through the really tough times in your life.
Well done to Paws Protect. This is a great idea.
In 2001, I finally escaped a 13 1/2 year abusive marriage. I was unable to leave until I had a dear friend offer housing not just to me, but to my dog. She saved my life, as my husband killed himself and came close to killing our cat in 2002. Many of my friends commented at the time how they’d thought him capable of a murder-suicide and were glad it hadn’t turned out that way. I know he killed my beautiful white Persian cat, a gift to me from a dear friend. I know he killed my large green iguana. I still have nightmares about the time he was lying next to me in bed and turned to me, saying quietly and almost lovingly, “Do you know how easy it would be for me to put a pillow over your face and put you out of my misery?”
Abusive marriage is really complex and there is rarely a simple solution. Making it possible for the abused spouse to flee while protecting her cat is a great step towards enabling someone to create her own best solution. Bravo to Paws Protect!
Why didn’t you take your cat and iguana with you as well as your dog?
River – I am so sorry about your cat and iguana. And very glad you and your dog made it out.
We took in a woman’s cat. She had to leave her home after her boyfriend put her through a closed window.
This woman was terrified of her abuser, but even more about what that monster would do to her cat if she left.
So she stayed as long as she could. We made sure she got out, and her cat had a place as long as needed.
The sad thing was, if she had a dog, there were networks that would foster that dog. But not her cat. So we did.
PAWS PROTECT IS ADDRESSING A TRUE NEED – cats are usually forgotten in abuse cases.
Fostering that cat made me realize what person would do to make sure their fur family is safe.
And I do include ALL animals – no innocent person or animal should have to live in fear.
Hope your life is going well – everyone deserves to be happy, and safe.
Přeji od srdce lidem to samé co dělají zvířatům, dojde na ně.
I woulkd be willing to take in any animal from an abusive situation, give them my name please
Great program . Thank you.
Wow what a great loving organization, someone to finally realize that animals are like children to people and to realize they are taking into the equation when you are in a abused situation. Just want to thank the people of this organization to show caring doing a stressful situation.
Thank you Paws Protect. How very thoughtful and kind of you to help the victims of domestic abuse. Just knowing their beloved cat will be safe while they are getting their life back in order.
Thank you.
What a terrific organisation.