You should never have to choose between your safety and your pet's safety. We can help you find resources that protect your whole family — including your animals.
Abusers frequently use pets to control, manipulate, and intimidate survivors. Understanding this pattern can help you recognize it — and break free.
Abusers may threaten to harm, kill, or give away pets to prevent survivors from leaving. The bond between a survivor and their pet is weaponized as leverage.
Harming a pet to demonstrate capability for violence, withholding veterinary care, or using a pet's wellbeing as emotional blackmail are all recognized forms of abuse.
Fear of what would happen to a beloved pet is a genuine barrier that keeps survivors in dangerous situations far longer than they otherwise would stay.
"When survivors have a plan that includes their pets, they are significantly more likely to leave — and stay gone. Your pet's safety is a real and valid part of your escape plan."
— Empowered BridgeA comprehensive safety plan includes your pets. Think through this before you need to act quickly.
Contact local DV shelters in advance to ask about pet policies. More shelters now have kennels, partnership programs, or foster care networks for pets. Do this research before a crisis.
Identify a friend, family member, or neighbor who could temporarily foster your pet if you need to leave quickly. Brief them in advance so they are ready to act.
Keep a bag ready with food, medications, vaccination records, a carrier or leash, and a familiar toy. Store it somewhere accessible so you can grab it in a hurry.
In California, pets can be listed in domestic violence restraining orders. Ask an advocate about how to protect your pet legally.
You do not have to choose between leaving and protecting your animal.
A national program connecting DV survivors with emergency pet foster care. Free service that helps coordinate temporary housing for pets while survivors access shelter.
safehavensforpets.org ↗Provides emergency grants to help DV survivors pay for veterinary care. Also offers a shelter pet support program for DV organizations wanting to become pet-friendly.
redrover.org ↗Contact us to be connected with local LA County resources for pet-friendly DV shelters, temporary pet fostering, and safety planning that includes your animals.
Text: 562-239-5547 ↗Veterinarians and animal shelter staff are often uniquely positioned to recognize signs of domestic violence and connect survivors with help.
Unexplained or repeated injuries to animals
A controlling partner who won't let the pet owner speak alone
A client who appears fearful or anxious during visits
Delayed veterinary care due to financial control
A partner who minimizes or dismisses the pet owner's concerns
Ask if the client is safe. Provide the National DV Hotline (1-800-799-7233) privately. Connect with local DV organizations to create referral pathways.
Never confront a suspected abuser directly — this can put the survivor in greater danger.
Call Hotline: 1-800-799-7233