The City of St. John's says it plans on launching a pilot program to house pets who belong to victims of domestic violence.
Research done in Newfoundland as well as other provinces finds that domestic violence towards spouses and children often also targets household pets. A study released in 2012 by the Alberta SPCA revealed that 59% of pet-owning women in emergency shelters delayed leaving their abusive environment out of concern for their pets. Another study conducted by the Calgary Humane Society in 2001 found that 56% of participants reported their abuser had threatened to hurt or kill or had actually hurt or killed a family pet.
Since St. John's emergency animal shelters are unable to accommodate pets, many victims delay leaving abusive situations, VOCM radio reported. A spokesperson for the city's animal care and control committee, Ron Ellsworth, said details for the program are currently being worked out but it would be a foster-based program and would not put any additional pressure on city facilities.
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