SPCA welcomes ACT’s new policy to protect pets in family violence situations

A substantial body of international and New Zealand evidence demonstrates that animal abuse commonly co-occurs with family violence. SPCA supports all policies that can better protect adults, children and animals in family harm situations.

SPCA Inspectors are on the frontline of investigating cruelty to animals occurring in the context of family violence. This places SPCA in a unique position to contribute to early identification of risk and to support cross-agency responses.

“SPCA conservatively estimates that up to 20% of all animal cruelty jobs attended involve identifiable co-indicators of family violence, with a further 10 to 20% of jobs reported as giving rise to a suspicion that coercion or control factors are present,” says SPCA Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Arnja Dale

SPCA has also seen an increase in harm to animals, with a 33% increase in complaints related to ill treatment (including wilful ill treatment of animals) in comparison to the previous year. The types of serious ill treatment include animals being beaten (by punching, kicking, hit with objects), stabbed, thrown off bridges or against walls, hung by their necks, strangled, drowned, smothered, shot, poisoned, or set on fire.

SPCA provides emergency boarding and protective custody for at-risk animals, which includes animals entering SPCA care due to family violence situations, often via Inspectorate or through agency referrals.

“Last year we provided emergency boarding to 286 animals. Other organisations, including Pet Refuge and HUHA also provide emergency accommodation for pets of people fleeing family violence situations.

“These are all incredibly important and necessary especially as research shows that people commonly delay leaving family violence situations for fear of what will happen to their animals. New Zealand has fallen behind a number of countries that explicitly recognise threats to harm animals as a form of coercive control.

“International best practice is increasingly moving toward pet-inclusive refuge models, where people and pets can remain together when safe and feasible - keeping pets and people together improves outcomes for victim survivors and their animals.

“SPCA believes New Zealand should move towards pet-inclusive refuge models and we would like to see the Government providing funding for these integrated housing models so people and their animals can stay safe together,” says Dr Arnja Dale.

SPCA looks forward to strong animal welfare policies from every party this election, and we have published our top ten recommendations for the incoming government on our advocacy site.