What happens to your pets in a domestic violence situation?
Feb 28, 2026
Leaving a violent or controlling relationship is an emotional upheaval that involves safety planning, financial uncertainty and housing stress. But for many women who are pet owners, there’s another layer that’s not often talked about: What happens to the dog? Who will feed the cat? Will my partner hurt them if I leave? Can I take them with me?
Concern for a pet’s safety can become a major barrier to leaving, particularly when most emergency accommodation services do not allow animals. In Queensland, programs such as RSPCA Queensland’s Pets in Crisis provide temporary emergency boarding and veterinary care, so people do not have to choose between their own safety and their pet’s wellbeing.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000). Confidential support is available through 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or DVConnect on 1800 811 811.
Jump to:
Pets are often present in the same house where domestic and family violence is occuring. They see it. They hear it. And in some cases, they are drawn directly into patterns of coercive control.
To explore how this happens, and what options are available for people who need to leave safely with their animals, we spoke with Courtney Cameron, Head of Community and Prevention at RSPCA Queensland.
How domestic and family violence affects pets
Domestic and family violence can affect pets through coercive control, neglect, intimidation and trauma, even when there are no visible physical injuries.
The impact on pets can be profound, even when there are no visible injuries.
“There’s probably a public perception that you’re expecting the animals to come in physically hurt,” Courtney says. “But often, it’s the coercive control component that has a very negative effect.”
That might look like:
Being prevented from taking a pet to the vet
Being denied money for preventative treatments
Being blocked from buying appropriate food
Being restricted from accessing transport to attend appointments
In some cases, pets have experienced direct physical abuse, but in others it could be quieter – untreated dental disease, unexamined tumours or chronic skin conditions that could have been prevented.
Just as children can be affected by exposure to violence, pets can also experience stress responses. Raised voices, separation anxiety and hyper-protectivity of the person they are most bonded to can all be developed.
“Their nervous system still ends up racing,” she explains. “They’ve still seen it, felt it.”
Why pets can be a barrier to leaving
For many victim-survivors, concern for a pet’s safety becomes a significant barrier to leaving an unsafe home.
Pets in Crisis exists because animals are a recognised barrier to safety.
Most crisis accommodation services for people fleeing domestic and family violence cannot accept pets; even emergency stays in hotels or motels usually prohibit animals.
That leads to an impossible choice. Leave and abandon the pet, or stay and try to protect them.
“It is such a big reason for why someone might choose not to leave, or will delay leaving,” Courtney says. “It’s because they feel like they don’t have an option.”
Even if an abuser has never directly harmed the animal, the fear of what might happen can be paralysing. In some cases, people return to unsafe environments because they are worried about their pet’s safety.
“It’s not a decision people should ever have to make,” Courtney says.
What is Pets in Crisis?
Pets in Crisis is an RSPCA Queensland program that provides temporary emergency boarding and veterinary care for animals belonging to people experiencing domestic and family violence.
It has operated for more than 20 years and is now part of RSPCA Qld’s Community and Prevention team. The program is supported by Queensland Government funding, alongside contributions from the Petbarn Foundation and community fundraising.
Each year, the team receives more than 400 referrals and supports close to 200 animals.
The program provides:
Up to 28 days of emergency boarding
A full health check
Vaccination
Microchipping
Desexing
Support for additional veterinary needs
Case management and reclaim planning
All of this is provided free of charge.
“All the program does is give people that breathing space,” Courtney says. “They know their animal is safe, and now they have the ability to make decisions for themselves.”
Referrals are made through DVConnect or another human support service. Pets in Crisis does not provide domestic violence counselling or housing support, so it works alongside services that are supporting the person’s safety plan.
The service is inclusive, supporting people of all genders who need help to keep themselves and their animals safe.
“Our program is for anyone experiencing domestic or family violence,” Courtney says. “Yes, the majority are women, but not exclusively. Anyone can be a victim.”
What happens when your pet enters care?
Once referred, pets receive temporary boarding, veterinary care and behavioural support while their owner works on a safety plan.
Referrals can be submitted at any time. Each morning, the Pets in Crisis coordinator reviews new referrals and assesses capacity across RSPCA’s shelter network.
“It’s never a case of ‘that shelter is full, so you can’t come in,’” Courtney explains. “We look at our entire network, not just individual places.”
If one location is at capacity, another may have space. Animals can also be transported within Queensland or interstate if someone has relocated for safety.
Once accepted, the owner receives an emergency boarding agreement outlining what the program includes and the realities of a shelter environment. Like any boarding facility, shelters can be stressful for animals, so behaviour teams monitor each animal’s wellbeing, and where possible, place pets with trained foster carers in home environments.
“There’s a huge amount of case management,” Courtney says. “It’s a lot of organisation and logistics.”
Animals are treated like any other animal in RSPCA care, with their emotional and physical health being prioritised.
Throughout the stay, the owner remains in control.
“They are 100 per cent still your pet,” Courtney says. “Any decision that is made, you are in control of that decision.”
How to prove ownership of a pet
In domestic and family violence cases, pet ownership is not determined by paperwork alone. Patterns of care and primary responsibility are also considered.
One of the biggest fears for many people is ownership. What if the microchip isn’t in my name? What if my partner paid for the dog? What if I can’t prove it’s mine?
Recent changes to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) mean that where domestic and family violence is involved, ownership of a companion animal is no longer determined by paperwork alone. While animals are still treated as property under the law, courts must now consider patterns of care, family violence and the welfare of the animal when making decisions.
In practical terms, that means primary responsibility matters: who feeds the animal, books and attends vet appointments, manages medication, pays for food when able, and understands the pet’s daily routines. Evidence of being the primary carer can carry significant weight, even where a microchip registration or purchase receipt is in another person’s name.
“Microchipping the dog when it was eight weeks old does not outweigh information that shows that for the last six months, you’ve been solely responsible,” Courtney says.
Evidence of daily care can carry significant weight. This might include:
Booking and attending vet appointments
Purchasing food or medication
Knowing the animal’s routine and medical history
Photos on your phone (which are time-stamped)
“A record of the dog’s daily routine, the things you do together… these all contribute to proving ownership,” Courtney explains.
For some clients, that legislative backing has made a significant difference.
In one case, an abuser attempted to report a woman for “stealing” her own dog. RSPCA worked directly with Queensland Police, provided evidence of ownership and resolved the matter.
“She didn’t have to deal directly with QPS,” Courtney says. “We had all the evidence.”
What to do if you’re considering leaving
If you’re worried about your pet and thinking about leaving, there are two practical steps Courtney recommends.
First, connect with a human support service such as DVConnect and ask about Pets in Crisis. “Knowing that the program exists and that all you have to do is ask for it is really important,” Courtney says. Your support worker can organise the referral and guide you through the process.
Second, start keeping evidence of care. That might include your pet’s routine, vaccination history, medication details or contact information for your regular vet. Having those details on hand can make the process smoother if you need to move quickly.
If you’re unsure whether what’s happening qualifies as domestic or family violence, pay attention to the smaller signs. Being prevented from comforting an injured pet, denied access to vet care, or feeling afraid to leave your animal alone with your partner are serious red flags.
How your privacy is protected
Pets in Crisis maintains strict privacy protocols:
Client information is kept separate from general shelter systems
Only designated staff can access identifying details
Third-party transport providers are not given personal information
Unknown callers are not provided with information
Clients are told exactly which phone number the team will call from
To safeguard survivors, the service does not disclose information to anyone outside the approved contact list.
“We won’t even confirm that the animal’s in our care,” Courtney says.
These systems are designed to protect your safety and ensure that seeking help does not create additional risk.
How you can help
RSPCA Qld hopes to expand the program’s reach, particularly in regional areas. That may involve greater use of private boarding, transport solutions and support that prevents animals from needing to enter shelter care at all.
Community awareness plays a big role in that growth.
“Even if someone doesn’t end up using our service, it’s still valuable that they know about it,” Courtney says. “We all know someone who actually does need this kind of support.”
You can help by:
Sharing information about the program (like this article!)
Learning the signs of domestic and family violence involving pets
Making a financial donation to RSPCA Queensland
Supporting the Petbarn Foundation appeal
Volunteering as a foster carer, which helps free up shelter space and directly increases the number of animals that can be supported.
No one should have to choose between their own safety and the safety of a beloved animal. Knowing that their pet can be protected too can make taking the first step feel possible.
If you’re unsure how to support someone, or you need guidance yourself, confidential help is available. Call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or DVConnect on 1800 811 811 for advice and support, whether you’re directly affected or supporting someone else.
