Refuge: A Duty of Care
When domestic violence strikes, what happens to the pets?
In New Zealand, police attend a domestic violence incident as often as every 4 and a half minutes. But what of all the pets caught in the crossfire? Meet the team behind New Zealand’s only shelter that rescues pets from fractured households. At Oasis Pet Refuge, case managers work tirelessly to support domestic violence victims by providing free animal care to victims while they escape danger, championing the 'duty to care'.
“I didn’t have anywhere for the dogs to go. He would have got rid of them.” In abusive relationships, pets are often used as tools of control, with threats against animals used to manipulate victims. At Oasis Pet Refuge, case managers like Nikki Marchant-Ludlow work tirelessly to support domestic violence victims by providing free animal care to victims while they escape danger. Founder Julie Chapman explains, “we are New Zealand’s only shelter dedicated to housing the pets of people escaping family violence”. She believes her “duty to care” for victim's beloved companions is critical.
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