Safe refuge programs for pets caught in crossfire of abusive relationships

BOSTON — Statistics show that every minute an average of 24 people become victims of domestic violence on the hands of their intimate partners in the United States, which accounts for over 12 million people over the course of a year.

One of the biggest issues with instances of domestic violence that's rarely talked about is how pets fit into those situations. Here in Massachusetts, there are programs giving these pets a safe refuge.

According to the CDC, 1.3 million men and women have reportedly experienced some form of physical or sexual violence at the hands of their partners, and relationship violence often translates to pet abuse, according to advocacy director Kara Holmquist.

"We know from our studies that people who abuse animals are five times more likely to have committed a violent act towards a person," said Holmquist.

In 2015, MSPCA Angell started the "Safe Pets Program" for animals caught in the crossfire of these abusive relationships or other types of emergencies. The program gives them a safe place to stay temporarily or places them in a more stable forever home.

In the first year of the program in 2015, the MSPCA sheltered 35 pets and so far this year they've sheltered 40; 17 from domestic violence situations.

Gabbe Rowland lived that fear first hand in a 22-month relationship filled with verbal, emotional and physical abuse by her ex-boyfriend. A domestic abuse survivor and advocate, she's excited about this program for others.

"A lot of times there's pets involved and it's so easy to just think about 'how am I going to help the victim or survivor' or 'let's make sure he gets arrested or anything like that' and you forget about the other components," Rowland said.

Holmquist tells Boston 25 the MSPCA Angell has the latest program and works with lawmakers on pet protection in domestic violence legislation.

In 2012, they successfully lobbied for a bill that would include pets in restraining orders.

"There's a bunch of different tools we have in our tool kit to try and make sure that people in abusive situations don't delay leaving and can leave, that the pet doesn't become that barrier and they can be reunited with the pet when they are able to," Holmquist said.

Cox Media Group