Did you know that pets are often used as a tool within domestic abuse, to coerce and control?

Join this free seminar hosted by a collective of specialist pet fostering services to discuss the ways in which pets are used within domestic abuse, the impact this can have, and the support available for survivors who own pets.

Sadly, research shows that there is a link between abuse to animals and abuse to people, with many perpetrators exploiting the bond that we have with our animals as a tool for abuse. Please join us for this free session to discuss the topic in greater detail and provide you with key information on the pet fostering services available to victim-survivors of domestic abuse in the UK.

The Links Pet Fostering Sub-Group is made up of the following organisations: Refuge4Pets, Endeavour, Cats Protection Paws Protect, and the Dogs Trust Freedom Project. Specialist pet fostering services can support victim-survivors by providing a safe haven for their pet whilst they flee and get to safety, caring for them until they can be safely reunited again. These services remove a particularly challenging barrier for victim-survivors, allowing them and their pets to flee to safety.

Please join us on Thursday 2nd December at 1.30pm for an afternoon of talks and information. As this session is held via a Zoom Webinar, participants names will not be shown and cameras will be off.

Please register for your free ticket via this page. A link to access the Webinar will be emailed to you shortly before the event. If you have any questions about the event or how to access it, please get in touch via linksgroup@dogstrust.org.uk

This webinar is open to all professionals working with survivors of domestic abuse, members of the veterinary or supporting professions, animal charities and animal welfare.

What to expect on the day:

13.30 - 13.40 - Introduction

13.40 - 14.00 - Jill Caldwell (Chief Executive, Endeavour) - Introduction to Domestic Abuse

14.00 - 14.30 - Paula Boyden (Veterinary Director, Dogs Trust. Chair of The Links Group) - Introduction to the Links Group and our work with veterinary professionals

14.30 - 15.00 - Mary Wakeham (Refuge4Pets, Founder) - Pet abuse as a strategy for coercive control

15.00 - 15.15 - Break

15.15 - 15.35 - Rose Abram (Paws Protect Manager, Cats Protection) - An introduction to Specialist Pet Fostering Services

15.35 - 16.00 - Amy Hyde (Outreach Projects Manager, Dogs Trust) - Pet Fostering Services & Domestic Abuse Professionals Survey 2019.

16.00 - 16.30 - Q&A and closing remarks

We look forward to seeing you there!

Registrations are closed

Exploring the connection between pets and domestic abuse