Pet Protection

We advocate for at-risk family members and safety planning for their pets because we recognize the link between family violence and animal abuse.

A young boy hugging a large, fluffy white dog indoors.

  • At OAA, we’re protecting animals from family violence and advocating for their safety. Protecting pets from domestic violence is an important and often overlooked issue. Animals in abusive households can suffer physical, emotional, and psychological harm, and their safety is often at risk when they are exposed to violence. Domestic violence crimes against companion animals are often violent, egregious acts of cruelty. Victims of family violence are often left in a position of deciding whether to stay in an abusive, often dangerous situation, or to go and leave behind their beloved pets.

    Victims of domestic violence know that leaving their pets behind puts them at even greater risk of abuse once the victims are gone. Animals are often used by the abuser to punish or manipulate, as well as to take revenge against, the victim. In Ohio, women are the caregivers of pets in 74.5% of pet-owning households. Ohio is home to 2,730,000 dogs and 3,786,000 cats (the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 57.4% of Ohio households have pets – or 2,677,000 pet-owning households) and cruelty to pets is a common way to punish and control a victim of domestic violence (more than 64 million households in this country have one or more companion animals – Randour & Davidson, 2008). Likewise, the victim and/or their children living in a violent family situation have considerable attachments to their pets; and traumatic suffering can result when pets are abused or killed.

    In recent reports, the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) reports that 79% of the domestic violence victims surveyed identified the need for pet support for victims; and over 40% reported their pets were killed, harmed, or threatened to be harmed, and that they believed their pets would be harmed if the victims left home without them. Many victims clearly stated in these reports that pet safety impacted their decision whether to leave an abusive home. This inability to leave puts women, children, and pets at greater risk of exposure to emotional and physical trauma and death. The threat, or actual use, of violence against family pets is part of the dynamic of family violence–a dynamic that includes not only the victim and batterer, but also the children, elderly relatives, and the family pets. 

  • Federal & State Laws:

    • Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act - Federal, H.R. 909, signed on 12/20/2018. Extended federal domestic violence protections to include pets and authorized $3 million/year in grants through 2023 to help domestic violence shelters accommodate pets. U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ Senate-approved amendment secured $3 million in federal funding for the program for the Fiscal Year 2024. Peters is additionally leading the charge to reauthorize funding for the program at $3 million annually over five years, starting in Fiscal Year 2025, to ensure this critical funding remains available.

  • OAA helps families find pet protection programs to get pets away from abusers. OAA provides information and advice to help at-risk family members in safety planning for their pet(s). Our Statewide Resources provide a searchable list of safe havens throughout Ohio, and our Grants and Assistance page provides a list of pet protective programs that offer services and resources to help.

    We advocate for policies that address family violence including companion animals, such as the successful passage on 1/6/21 of Ohio House Bill 33. H.B. 33 addresses the need for cross-reporting animal and human violence, and builds on the legal tools created by the passage of pet protective orders, felony cruelty, and bestiality laws in Ohio that assist animals impacted by family violence.

  • Here are some steps you can take to help protect people and pets in crisis situations and advocate for their safety:

    Educate Yourself and Others About the Link Between Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse

    • Studies have shown that animals are often abused in households where domestic violence occurs. Abusers may harm or threaten pets to control, intimidate, or manipulate their victims.

    • Share information with others about the correlation between domestic violence and animal abuse. The more people are aware of the issue, the better they can respond when they see signs of domestic violence or animal abuse.

    Support Organizations that Help Pets in Domestic Violence Situations

    • Many animal shelters and domestic violence organizations provide services to protect pets, such as emergency shelter, temporary boarding, foster care, veterinary care, and rehoming when their owners are seeking safety from an abusive situation. Our Resources page contains safe havens and other services near you.

    Advocate for Policies that Protect Pets in Domestic Violence Cases

    • In many areas, pets are considered property under the law, which can make it harder to ensure their safety in domestic violence situations. Advocate for laws that allow pets to be included in protective orders (restraining orders) and give victims the ability to take their pets with them when fleeing an abusive situation.

    • Some laws, like the Pets and Women’s Shelters (PAWS) Act, allow victims of domestic violence to include their pets in protective orders. Advocate for the expansion of such laws and for local shelters to be required to accept pets.

    Help Victims Create a Safety Plan for Their Pets

    • If you know someone in an abusive relationship, help them create a safety plan for their pets. This could include: finding a friend, family member, or neighbor who can temporarily care for the pet; contacting a local shelter or pet rescue group for emergency boarding; and including the pet in a protection order if possible.

    • If you’re able, offer to help with transporting the pet, finding a temporary foster home, or helping to secure veterinary care.

    Report Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence

    • If you witness signs of animal abuse in a domestic violence situation, report it to local animal control or law enforcement. In many cases, addressing animal abuse can help draw attention to the broader issue of domestic violence and provide a pathway for victims and their pets to receive help.

    • If you suspect someone is in an abusive relationship and their pets are also in danger, encourage them to reach out to local shelters, animal rescue organizations, or law enforcement. Some groups specifically specialize in helping people and pets escape violence.

    Help Raise Awareness in Your Community

    • Spread the word about the link between domestic violence and animal abuse by hosting community events, speaking to local groups, or sharing resources.

    • You can distribute flyers, host workshops, or share social media posts with information about how domestic violence can affect pets and what people can do to help.

    Ensure Your Own Pets Are Safe

    • Make sure that in the event of an emergency, you have a plan in place for your pets’ safety. This includes having contact information for emergency pet sitters or shelters that can accept animals during a crisis.

    • Keep veterinary records, microchip information, and other important documents for your pets in an easy-to-access place. This will make it easier to take action quickly if needed.

    Advocate for More Pet-Friendly Domestic Violence Shelters

    • Many domestic violence shelters do not allow pets, which can force victims to choose between staying in an abusive situation or leaving their pets behind. Advocate for shelters to become more pet-friendly and offer solutions like on-site boarding or foster programs for pets.

    • Domestic violence shelters can collaborate with local animal shelters or rescue groups to ensure that pets are safely cared for while their owners seek refuge.

    Support and Encourage Public and Private Partnerships

    • Many private shelters, rescues, and veterinary clinics are stepping up to help pets from domestic violence situations. Supporting these organizations can make a big difference.

    • Businesses can help by offering free services for pets, such as veterinary care, grooming, or boarding for those in domestic violence situations.

    Helping pets in domestic violence situations requires both individual and systemic efforts. By raising awareness, supporting organizations that protect animals, and advocating for changes in the law and in shelters, you can play an important role in making sure that pets are not left behind or harmed when someone is escaping an abusive situation.

  • Safe Havens - resources for victims of domestic violence with pets

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