Pet fostering for abused women

Women who choose to leave home often worry about their pets
An animal lover is providing foster homes for pets whose owners have been caught up in domestic abuse.
Marian Edwards decided to offer the service after working on the Welsh Women's Aid helpline.

Ms Edwards, from the Nantlle Valley, Gwynedd, now fosters all sorts of animals, although most are dogs.

Welsh Women's Aid said fear for the well-being of children, loved ones and even pets could be a real barrier to leaving an abusive partner.

"I'd heard of people offering this service in different parts of Wales and decided that I'd offer the same service, mostly to dogs," said Ms Edwards.

"It can be a real problem with women unwilling to leave an abusive relationship if it means leaving their pet behind."

Ms Edwards has two dogs herself, a mongrel and West Highland terrier, and takes the foster animal into her home.

The knowledge that their children and pets will be safe can be a huge relief

Elen Pierce, director Welsh Women's Aid

If she is unable to help, she usually knows someone else who can, she added.

"I've just finished looking after two little dogs for three months.

"I don't charge to have them here, but I do ask for a contribution towards their food."

She said the Christmas period was usually quiet, but she expected it to be busier in the new year.

"What tends to happen is that women try and keep things together over Christmas, especially if they have children, it's in January when things tend to come to a head."

Elen Pierce, director of Welsh Women's Aid, said the decision to leave an abusive relationship was not one that a women took lightly.

"Research shows the period where a woman is planning to leave and actually leaving the relationship is the most dangerous and when an escalation in physical violence is most likely to occur," she said.

"Fear for the well-being of children, loved ones and even pets can present a real barrier to exiting an abusive relationship.

"The knowledge that their children and pets will be safe can be a huge relief to women who have lived in fear for so long," she added. Source: K9 news