About Pets In Crisis

29th January, 2020 | by dvconnect

About Pets in Crisis

The Pets In Crisis program provides safe accommodation, food and vet care to pets whose families have escaped domestic and family violence. The challenge for families with pets is that shelters/refuges do not allow pets. If accommodation cannot be found for the pet with family or friends, the abused often chooses to stay with their abuser for fear of what will happen to the pet if they leave without it.

The Facts about Pets In Crisis

The Pets In Crisis program exists to care for pets whose families are escaping domestic and family violence.
The majority of refuges/shelters in Queensland do not allow pets. This results in many people staying in abusive relationships because they are scared of what might happen to them if they are left with the abuser.
The program was established in 2005 and is a collaboration between DVConnect and the RSPCA Queensland.
Once admitted into the program, each pet receives safe accommodation, healthy food daily, required vaccinations, microchipping and they are desexed. In many cases the pet is given additional veterinary care to help pre-existing conditions. These conditions may be a result of the abuser hurting the family pet, or not allowing finances to be spent on vital vaccinations or care it is sick/injured.
The program cares for almost 300 pets each year.
Due of lack of funds and accommodation space within shelters or foster carers, DVConnect is forced to say no to almost 200 more pets who need help. This breaks our hearts.
Pets can stay in the program for up to 28 days but the average day the pets stayed in the program in 2018-19 was 34 days.
Any type of pet is accepted, provided there is a suitable place for them to be cared for. This could mean a cat, dog, horse, goat, guinea pig etc.
It costs a minimum of $150,000 to operate the Pets In Crisis program. This increases when the number of animals needing help increases.
The Pets In Crisis program is only accessible by calling the DVConnect Womensline on 1800 811 811, anytime 24/7, 365 days a year.

The link between domestic violence and pets

For any pet lover whose animal is part of the family the thought of leaving them behind in an emergency is unthinkable. Sadly pets are often abused as part of the spectrum of domestic and family violence. DVConnect counsellors regularly speak with people whose pets are beaten or tortured by abusive partners. The abuser does this to frighten and control the victim into staying in the violent relationship. RSPCA Queensland’s Inspectorate frequently investigates animal cruelty cases of this nature. Research shows that up to 25% of people in violent situations choose to stay because of concern for the pets welfare if they leave.

Women, children and their beloved pets across Queensland are constrained in violent relationships because the practical challenges of leaving are too overwhelming. These women are torn between protecting themselves and their children and the increased risk for their pets if they leave them behind. This is where our Pets In Crisis program helps. Knowing their pets will be safe and that they’ll be reunited once they can get back on their feet can be the catalyst for leaving abuse.

How you can help

Become a Foster Carer?

Check out all you need to know about becoming a foster carer.

Donate

A donation of any amount helps hugely. You can make a one off donation, or a regular monthly donation. See how your donation helps:

$26 can provide 1 dog or cat with a warm bed, litter tray, and a meal
$53 could buy antibiotics for 1 sick dog/cat for a week to help them on the road to recovery
$150 could help desex 1 abandoned dog/cat
$350 could provide emergency treatment for an animal

Donate Now

Hold a fundraiser

A Facebook Fundraiser works well. You can ask your friends/family for a donation in lieu of birthday gifts.
A morning tea at your workplace where your colleagues bring a plate and a donation would be a fun addition to the week.
There are so many other fun ways you can fundraise for Pets In Crisis, check them out.

Fundraise for Pets In Crisis

14th November, 2019 | by dvconnect

You can help by fundraising for Pets In Crisis

We strongly believe that no pets should be at risk of being abused and no one should feel that they can’t leave a violent home!

Pets are part of our families so the the thought of leaving them behind in an emergency is unthinkable! When someone is faced with the decision of leaving a domestic and family violence situation and they have pets, the logistics of leaving can be even more frightening. They need to think of where their pet will go once they leave. Can they stay with a friend? Does their abuser know where that friend lives? The majority of womens shelters/refuges do not allow pets. If they leave the pet with the abuser, what will happen? Will it increase the risk that their pets will (if they are not already affected) become the victims of the violence?

If there are no safe options for their pet, our Pets In Crisis program helps. But we need your help to continue providing the service.

There are lots of ways you can help the pets of Queenslanders who have escaped domestic and family violence. Below are just some ideas to start you thinking.

Cutest Pet Photo Competition

Invite your animal loving colleagues to enter a photo of their pet into the competition.
Then, invite all your workmates to attend the Photo Competition, perhaps in the Tea Room, where all photos are laid out on a table, and have a jar/glass next to them.
Ask your workmates to place a donation into the jar next to the photo they think is the cutest.
The jar with the most donations, is declared the Cutest Pet.
Don’t forget to let us know you’re fundraising by emailing

Pet-Owner Look-A-Like Competition

Invite your animal loving colleagues to enter a photo of them and their beloved pet into the competition.
Then, invite all your workmates to attend the Photo Competition, perhaps in the Tea Room, where all photos are laid out on a table, and have a jar/glass next to them.
Ask your workmates to place a donation into the jar next to the photo they think is the cutest.
The jar with the most donations, is declared the Winner of the Pet-Owner Look-A-Like Competition.
Don’t forget to let us know you’re fundraising by emailing

Bake Sale

Get your bake on! Whip up your favourite cupcakes, cakes or slices and sell them at your workplace.
You could even encourage your workmates to do the same so you have more to share.
Invite your colleagues to attend the morning tea in exchange for a donation to raise funds for DVConnect to help more Queenslanders escape violent relationships.
Don’t forget to let us know you’re fundraising by emailing

How your fundraising helps the animals

$26 can provide a homeless dog/cat with a warm bed, litter tray, and a meal
$53 could buy antibiotics for a sick dog/cat this week to help them on the road to recovery
$100 can help keep an RSPCA inspector on the road fighting animal cruelty for another day
$150 could help desex an abandoned dog/cat ready for them to find their forever home
$350 could provide emergency treatment for 30 cats/dogs

Donate to Pets In Crisis

12th November, 2019 | by dvconnect

DONATE TO PETS IN CRISIS

We are forced to decline 2-3 pets every week because we do not have enough funds to provide safe beds, food and vet care for them. Any donation you can make is so very much appreciated.

Donate Now

How your donation helps:

$20 will shelter an abandoned pet tonight
$60 can provide a warm and safe bed for a homeless pet tonight
$120 will heal wounds and soothe aches for a neglected pet
$250 can fill the tummies of 175 shelter pets tonight

Pets in Crisis is a critical program that delivers many community benefits. It provides those who are experiencing domestic and family abuse with peace of mind that their pet will be away from violence and harm while they find a safe environment to rebuild their lives.

If you are in a position to donate, we would be so grateful.
If you are a master fundraiser and have an idea you think could raise funds amongst your friends or workmates, please give it a go, we, and the animals would be so appreciative.
If you work for a company who might be willing to donate, please ask them if they are interested.
If you are involved in a community group who may like to fundraise, we would be so very grateful.

THE FACTS

The Pets In Crisis Program exists to care for pets whose families are escaping domestic and family violence.
Established in 2005, the Program is a collaboration between DVConnect and the RSPCA Queensland.
Each pet is given safe accommodation, food, and in most cases veterinary care.
The Program cares for almost 300 pets each year.
BUT, due of lack of funds and accommodation space, we are forced to say no to almost 200 more pets who need help. This breaks our hearts.
Pets can stay in the program for up to 28 days.
Any pet is accepted, provided there is a suitable place for them to be cared for.
Each pet is given a thorough health check by an RSPCA veterinarian. Sadly though, a lot of pets from domestic violence situations haven’t received the medical care they should have in their lives. This means more vet care is needed, which means more costs. Examples of a basic vet check-up for a dog include the dog being given flea, tick and worming medication, heartworm, as well as kennel cough injections. Also a lot of cases require specialist veterinary operations due to abuse the animal has suffered at the hand of the domestic violence abuser.
The minimum cost to operate the Pets In Crisis Program is $150,000. This increases when the number of animals needing help increases.

10 facts about our Pets In Crisis Program

1st July, 2019 | by dvconnect

10 facts about our Pets In Crisis Program

The Pets In Crisis Program exists to care for pets whose families are escaping domestic violence.
A lot of refuges do not accept pets, so many people decide to stay in a domestic violence situation for fear of what might happen to their pet if they leave. Sadly, our counsellors regularly speak to people whose intimate partners use violence or threats of it towards their pets – in order to frighten and control them into staying.
Established in 2005, the Program is a collaboration between DVConnect and the RSPCA Queensland.
Each pet is given safe accommodation, food, and in most cases veterinary care.
The Program cares for almost 300 pets each year.
BUT, last financial year we were forced to turn away 2-3 pets every week because we don’t have enough funding or safe accommodation to care for them.
Pets can stay in the program for up to 28 days.
Any pet is accepted, provided there is a suitable place for them to be cared for.
Each pet is given a thorough health check by an RSPCA veterinarian. Sadly though, a lot of pets from domestic violence situations haven’t received the medical care they should have in their lives. This means more vet care is needed, which means more costs.
The minimum cost to operate the Pets In Crisis Program is $150,000. This increases when the number of animals needing help increases.
To access this program, you must speak with the DVConnect team. Please call anytime on 1800 811 811, they are available to chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you would like to donate to our Pets In Crisis Program we would be so very grateful.

Donate Now

If you or someone you know needs help, please call us:

Womensline	1800 811 811
Mensline	1800 600 636
Sexual Assault Line	1800 010 120
1800RESPECT	1800 737 732

Pets In Crisis

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