RSPCA Hull & East Riding is supporting a new campaign to raise awareness of the impact of domestic abuse on pets – and the important role people working with animals can play in helping keep both people and pets safe.
The Safe People, Safe Pets campaign has been developed by the East Riding Domestic Violence & Abuse Partnership (DVAP) in partnership with RSPCA Hull & East Riding Branch.
Domestic abuse does not only affect the people experiencing it. Pets can also become victims of harm, threats and intimidation, or be deliberately used as a means of coercion and control.
For someone experiencing domestic abuse, concern for a much-loved pet can also be a significant barrier to leaving.
- “What will happen to my dog?”
- “Who will look after my cat?”
- “I can’t leave them behind.”
These concerns can be very real. For some people, the safety and welfare of their pet is inseparable from their own.
The role of pet professionals
The campaign aims to increase understanding among people whose work brings them into contact with animals and their owners. A vet, groomer, dog walker, pet sitter, boarding provider, trainer or animal charity may be one of the people a victim speaks to – or one of the people who notices that something is not right.
People experiencing domestic abuse may not approach traditional support services, but they may still take their dog to the vet, visit a groomer, arrange a dog walker or speak to someone they trust about their pet.
This means people working with animals can sometimes be in a position to notice changes, hear concerns or provide an opportunity for someone to seek help.
Free awareness sessions for pet professionals
DVAP and RSPCA Hull & East Riding are delivering free one-hour online Pets & Coercive Control – Safe People, Safe Pets awareness sessions.
The sessions will explore:
- How domestic abusers can use pets and other animals to coerce, control and intimidate.
- Why concern for a pet can make it more difficult for someone to leave an abusive relationship.
- The links between domestic abuse and harm or threats towards animals.
- What people working with animals might see, hear or notice.
- How to respond safely and sensitively when there are concerns.
- Where to signpost people for specialist support.
- The important role pet professionals can play in helping keep people and animals safe.
Choose from two online sessions:
- Wednesday 14 October | 7.30pm–8.30pm Register for the 14 October session
- Wednesday 21 October | 1.30pm–2.30pm Register for the 21 October session
Both sessions will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams and cover the same content, so you only need to attend one. No previous knowledge of domestic abuse is required.
Telling Joe’s story
As part of the campaign, RSPCA Hull & East Riding has worked with local creative agency INIT Creative to produce a powerful film based on Nanny’s experience of domestic abuse and its impact on her dog, Joe.
Told from Joe’s perspective, the film explores what domestic abuse can look and feel like from the perspective of a pet caught in an abusive situation. The film is deliberately impactful and is intended to help people understand that animals can be both victims of abuse and a means through which an abuser can exercise control.
Content warning: the film contains themes relating to domestic abuse and may be upsetting for some viewers.
Helping people leave safely with their pets
The campaign is also raising awareness of specialist services including the Dogs Trust Freedom Project and Cats Protection Lifeline. These services can provide temporary foster care for pets belonging to people experiencing domestic abuse, helping remove one of the barriers that can prevent someone from leaving.
The message is simple:
People should not have to choose between their own safety and the safety of their pet.
Knowing that their pet is somewhere safe can help remove one of the practical and emotional barriers facing someone who is trying to leave an abusive situation.
Helping pet professionals respond
The campaign has also developed posters and information guides for animal businesses and charities.
These resources help people working with animals understand how they can:
- recognise potential concerns;
- create an appropriate opportunity for someone to talk;
- listen and respond sensitively;
- avoid putting someone or themselves at greater risk; and
- signpost towards specialist support.
Importantly, pet professionals are not expected to become domestic abuse specialists.
Their role is to recognise concerns, respond safely and sensitively, and help connect people with organisations equipped to provide specialist support.
Our ongoing commitment
RSPCA Hull & East Riding’s involvement in Safe People, Safe Pets forms part of our ongoing commitment to addressing and responding to domestic abuse.
As a White Ribbon Organisation, we support the work to challenge violence against women and girls and help break the cycle of abuse. We believe protecting animals also means recognising the wider circumstances that can affect their welfare.
Through our work with DVAP and partners across the East Riding, we want to help build a stronger network of people who understand the connection between pets, domestic abuse and coercive control – and know where people and animals can get help.
Safe People, Safe Pets is about helping to make sure that when someone needs help, there are people around them who notice, understand and know what they can do.
