Safe Haven: The Life-Saving Work of Pet Refuge

We’re sharing the efforts of Pet Refuge and the vital role they play in helping pets and their people escape situations of family violence. Their work offers a safe haven for animals when it’s most needed and highlights why pets must be included in conversations about protection and law change.

‍

At Pet Sitting NZ, we’re proud to support and raise awareness of organisations like Pet Refuge, whose mahi makes a real difference for both pets and their families across Aotearoa.

‍

Have a read below to learn how Pet Refuge are making a real difference for pets in need and why this work matters now more than ever.

Pet Refuge supports the unseen victims of family violence. Sadly, pets are often threatened, injured, or even killed to control family members. For many of these victims, their pet is their confidant, protector, and closest friend, so it’s not surprising that more than half will delay leaving abuse out of fear of what will happen to their fur baby if left behind.

‍

Pet Refuge temporarily shelters these pets while their families enter emergency housing and reunites them once it is safe, and they have found new pet-friendly accommodation. Pet Refuge covers all the costs as well as providing an NZ-wide transport service, ensuring accessibility to their services for anyone across Aotearoa. The shelter is more than just a temporary home for pets, it is a haven providing pets with everything they need to best prepare themselves for their new safe life free from violence. Pets receive veterinary care, nutritious meals, bespoke training and enrichment plans to help them heal from the trauma they have endured.  

‍

Meet *Mittens, a loyal and loving cat loved deeply by her human-mum, Olivia. However, Mittens and her human-mum weren’t safe at home.

‍

‍

“She’s my little security guard, my shadow, my emotional support. If I was doing laps of the backyard, exercising, she would stay with me, rain or shine. If I was sick, she would stay with me in the bathroom the whole night. She’s so loyal. If anything, she’s more like a dog than a cat! I wasn’t safe at home. I feared for my life, but I couldn’t risk Mittens being hurt if I left her there.” – Olivia.

‍

Luckily, Olivia called Pet Refuge, and Mittens found temporary safety at our shelter. For cats like Mittens, who are so connected to their human parent, coming into the shelter can be daunting at first. That’s why at Pet Refuge, a safe bed is more than what you’d see at a standard boarding facility – Each pet is given some quiet time to integrate and adjust on arrival before being behaviour assessed, so their staff know what environment will suit them best. For some felines, this is more isolated living quarters with hidey-holes to retreat to, while for others it’s the bustle of larger shared-living catios where fur-siblings can spend time together. For Mittens, it was a glass catio for a front-seat view of what was going on!

‍

Perhaps most importantly, Mittens’ safe bed came with love and care while Olivia entered emergency housing.  

‍

“I was just so relieved to have Pet Refuge help us because I was literally going to have to go back to the situation we came from again. And I was so torn but so determined not to go back. It was a godsend because it wasn’t healthy for anyone. It was just horrible.” – Olivia

‍

Mittens is back home now, safe with her human mum. But there are many more pets in need like her, and with your help, Pet Refuge can offer them a temporary safe space that feels like home.

‍

‍

DID YOU KNOW?

• A safe bed is more than a place a pet can stay until they’re reunited with their family. It’s a place to call home. Pet Refuge’s purpose-built facility has underfloor heating for the colder months and indoor and outdoor enrichment and exercise yards. It’s a true home away from home. 

‍

• On average, Pet Refuge bring over 15 pets into the shelter each month who are caught in the same reality as Mittens. Pet Refuge usually have between 50 and 70 pets at any given time.

‍

• On average, a pet will stay in Pet Refuge care for four months, understanding that family violence is not black and white, and everyone’s and their pets' needs may look different.  

‍

‍

If you would like to support Pet Refuge and help pets and families escape family violence together, donate today: https://www.petrefuge.org.nz/donate/