Women with pets are four times as likely to stay in an abusive relationship.
A startling statistic that is just one reason the City of Mount Pearl is partnering with Iris Kirby House, the RNC, and the SPCA to create a Pet Safekeeping program.
Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker, along with members of the RNC, SPCA, and Iris Kirby House announces a new partnership to provide safe haven for pets of families leaving abusive situations. pic.twitter.com/aQBNN6IJtw
— Andrew Hawthorn (@HawthornVOCM) June 25, 2019
Pets can be a source of immense emotional support in hard times, but when mixed up in an abusive relationship a beloved companion can become leverage or worse, a casualty. That’s why Mount Pearl wants to help support people trying to leave dangerous relationships, by assuring that their pets are safe as well.
If a pet is at risk, women are four times less likely to leave an abusive relationship, says Iris Kirby House ED Michelle Greene. pic.twitter.com/pWjnYmkmEA
— Andrew Hawthorn (@HawthornVOCM) June 25, 2019
Mayor Dave Aker announced the partnership to take care of victims’ pets while they take care of themselves.
It’s the third municipality in the province to start such a program, after St. John’s and Corner Brook. The initiative has been spearheaded by the RNC, and Chief Joe Boland says the focus is on removing barriers for victims and survivors of intimate partner violence.
