could you leave
your pet behind
to escape family
violence?
Give pets a chance at safety today.
Every dollar makes a difference.
Last year, Pet Refuge saw a 19% increase in families reaching out for urgent help to keep their pets safe while escaping family violence.
Behind these calls are increasingly complex and distressing situations where pets were not only witnessing violence, but being threatened, harmed, and used as leverage through coercive control to stop victim-survivors from escaping safely.
For many families, the fear of what could happen to their pet is what keeps them trapped.
By joining our Safe Beds for Pets family with a monthly gift of $30, or whatever you can afford, you help provide safe shelter, transport, veterinary treatment, food, enrichment, and trauma rehabilitation for pets escaping violence — at no cost to families.
Will you help provide a safe bed for pets escaping family violence?
1. Your Details
2. Extra Questions
3. Complete
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pet Refuge New Zealand Charitable Trust registered with the NZ Charities Service which means you'll receive a tax receipt for any donations over $5. Our registration number is CC53408.
Absolutely, please email us at info@petrefuge.org.nz so we can provide our bank details and a reference to ensure you receive a tax receipt.
Of course, every dollar makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those we help. If you’d prefer to give a once-off donation to support pets and families in need, click here.
Behind many family violence stories is a pet living through the trauma, too.
Pets are being threatened, harmed, injured, and used as leverage in increasingly complex family violence situations — and the fear of what could happen to them is stopping many victim-survivors from escaping safely.
Some pets arrive deeply traumatised after living through prolonged violence, intimidation, and instability inside the home. Others are carrying untreated injuries or medical conditions because coercive control, fear, or financial abuse made accessing veterinary care impossible.
For many victim-survivors, knowing their pet will be safe is what makes it possible to leave violence safely and begin rebuilding their lives in safety.
*Hazel and *Archie
The pair were found trapped in a vehicle while the family home burned around them “They were terrified, having watched the house go up in flames.”
*Barney
Following repeated violence and upheaval, Barney returned to Pet Refuge a second time, showing signs of stress and hypervigilance after another violent incident forced his family to flee again.
*Minnie and *Luna
For *Tegan, the fear of what could happen to Minnie and Luna kept her trapped for years. “My ex knew exactly how much I loved my cats, and I was always terrified he would hurt them to get at me.”
That’s why Pet Refuge provides more than emergency shelter alone. Your support helps provide:
Nationwide Transport
Every pet deserves access to safety, no matter where they are.
A safe bed
A warm, comforting space in our purpose-built shelter.
Veterinary care
Comprehensive treatment, including vaccinations and medical care to aid recovery.
Enrichment and Training
Tailored plans by our expert staff to help pets heal from trauma.
The Reunion
Families stay connected with updates while apart, and the best part? The heartwarming moment when they are safely reunited.
Read more about the difference your regular gift makes here.