BBC“If you're not an animal lover you won't understand. They've kept me alive.”
Claudia suffered bodily and emotional abuse by the hands of her former companion, however stayed for the security of her pets.
Research by the charity Cats Protection discovered that of 31 girls's shelters and home abuse organizations surveyed in Wales, none would soak up pets fleeing abuse from their homeowners.
Welsh Women's Aid stated it highlighted the necessity for “comprehensive support systems” that tackle all facets of survivors' lives.
Only 27% of refugees requested stated they might contemplate permitting pets in “limited circumstances”.
Pets are sometimes a supply of consolation for individuals experiencing home abuse, however they will additionally act as a barrier to reaching security.
Claudia – not her actual identify – owned a number of pets along with her former companion in South Wales, till they started for use as a manner of controlling her funds – a standard type of coercive management,
“If any of the animals were sick I would withdraw my bank card so I couldn't take them to the vet,” she stated.
“He didn't want the money wasted on them.”
Claudia was solely liable for her animals, partly as a result of she might be blamed in the event that they fell unwell and partly as a result of she had no cash left for herself.
Once, her companion threatened to take a pet to his buddy quite than permitting her to take it to the vet.
Threats to animals' lives have been “routine” to maintain her within the relationship, she stated.
“I stayed for years and protected the animals. We were trapped and I just had to do anything to keep them safe.”
This 12 months, greater than 150 survivors instructed Welsh Women's Aid that their pets could be at risk in the event that they left their abusive relationships.
Now, the main animal charity has launched fostering companies in Wales particularly for individuals fleeing home abuse to search out protected momentary properties for his or her pets whereas they search security.
Jules, certainly one of Cats Protection's fosters, stated: “I think about the situation of that animal.
“A family may suddenly be homeless and they can't think about pets. They can't take that cat with them.”
Cats Protection opened its first Lifeline base in Wales in March after receiving a growing number of referrals.
“So far this year, we've helped over 30 cats, which means 16 of those cats' owners can be safe,” said Charlie Munden of the charity.
Both Lifeline and Dogs Trust's Freedom service cover all costs incurred when caring for an animal while their owner is seeking safety.
Stephanie Grimshaw of Welsh Women's Aid said survivors “are not the only ones who have lived through violence against women and girls”.
“They're someone who has a dog, a cat or a hamster … and the idea of giving them away forever is just too much,” he said.
“We need to make sure that when we are supporting survivors they are seen as a whole person with all aspects of their life, not just what they are going through.”
Now, after quickly relocating her animals whereas she finds a protected house, Claudia and her pets are free.
“We can go for walks now and never have to fret about somebody following us or somebody making an attempt to steal them from me.
“There have been occasions once you thought 'I can't reside like this anymore', however they want you – so you need to do it.
“I'm grateful to them for keeping me safe, because they've kept me alive.”
- If you’re affected by any of the problems on this article you could find particulars of organizations that may assist bbc motion line
With inputs from BBC
