Serving Domestic Violence Survivors with Pets

Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will identify one potential barrier for getting pet-related services to DV survivors. 2. Participants will identify at least one question to ask a DV survivor about their pets. 2. Participants will identify ways to make pet related services for DV survivors a universal standard of service.

Body of Abstract Research on pets and domestic violence has been conducted as early as the 1990s. Studies routinely have found that survivors report that, during their abusive relationships, their pets were threatened, harmed, or killed. Additionally, a proportion of those survivors also indicate that leaving their abuser was delayed due to concerns related to their animal(s). (Ascione 1998; Flynn, 2000a; Flynn 2000b; Faver & Strand, 2003; Strand & Faver, 2005 Simmons and Lehmann, 2007). For victims in poverty, pet-related issues may pose even more of a challenge. More attention has been brought to this issue with development of programs such as Sheltering Animals and Families Together (SAF-T) and the Red Rover grant program, and the passing of the Pets and Women’s Safety Act. However, the availability of assistance for survivors with pets continues to vary greatly depending on geographic location. In this discussion, participants will discuss potential barriers for getting services to victims, how to make asking survivors about pets the norm among domestic violence service providers, and how to make serves for pet owning domestic violence survivors a universal standard of service.

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