Transporting *Echo and *Axel to safety

Echo is a beautiful cat who needed emergency help to be transported to safety while his human-mum was recovering from violence in the hospital.

While we assist in emergencies for pets like Echo more often, planning an escape for both pets and families can take a number of weeks, working with referral partners like Women's Refuge and the NZ Police to ensure everyone will be safe. Take *Axel as an example; he is a loving and loyal dog to his family but planning a successful escape for the 'whole' family took a total of seven months due to the severity of the control the abuser had.

Axel had a complex transport case, with one failed attempt to retrieve him. *Christy's abuser monitored her phone, laptop, and everywhere she went - he controlled her every move. Christy adored Axel and had previously not left the relationship as she didn't have a care plan for Axel. 53% of family violence survivors delay leaving violence out of fear for their pet's safety.

Axel and Echo came into Pet Refuge care within days of each other. The best part is that both are preparing for their journeys to their respective new safe homes with their loving families after a three-month stay in our shelter.

Our national transport service doesn't just transport pets by land, air, or sea to safety; it also brings families together to make them whole when families are safe and have found new pet-friendly accommodation. In fact, 91% of our pets have been reunited with their families through our national transport system.

Vet care for *Jagger

*Jagger a seemingly healthy dog who was diagnosed with early renal failure within two weeks of arriving at Pet Refuge.

Over 90% of our pets require veterinary treatment in addition to a general health check, so our shelter attendants are well versed in creating a bespoke care plan for all their medical needs. In fact, in an average month, we will have four pets that require diagnostic testing and ongoing medication, like Jagger.

Our team worked with the vet to create a plan so Jagger can feel his best again. This included a diet change to prescription food that helps with kidney function and ongoing medications to slow down his renal disease progression.

Jagger continues to be monitored daily and attends weekly vet checks until his condition remains stable.

When Jagger is reunited with his family, he will be provided with an info pack on renal disease, including a 'how-to' sheet on looking for signs of the disease developing, along with his prescription food and medication. This will be on top of his standard 'take-home pack', which includes flea and worm treatment, toys, a bed, and helpful extras such as a collar, lead, and water bowl.

"Omg I just love looking at these photos, Jagger looks so well looked after & happy. Thank you sooo much for taking such good care of my handsome boy, it’s been a real relief to know he is getting everything he needs so he feels well. It’s a real lovely thing to do for us victims of abuse to know our babies are safe & sound." - Jagger's loving human-mum.

*Data has been collected using five average months at random through 2022-2024.

Healing *Dottie through enrichment

On average, we create 15 new bespoke enrichment and training programs each month, tailoring these as we get to know each pet over their stay. This month, that number included *Dottie. She was overcome by anxiety and insecurities, causing her to lose her appetite, resource guard, and display some unhealthy behaviours.

She has been in Pet Refuge care for four weeks and has made significant progress through her enrichment and training program. Adequate mental stimulation through enrichment activities helps anxious dogs by reducing stress, promoting calmness, and building confidence by channeling their energy into positive outlets and allowing pets to express natural behaviors without applying too much pressure to a sensitive dog like Dottie.

Fear responses guided many of Dottie’s interactions with people and other dogs. With time, patience, and hand-feeding every meal, she began to learn that the hand that feeds her isn't going to take away her bowl as punishment. Our team is now grooming, giving her lick mats, and creating positive experiences for Dottie in her kennel so she learns not to fear people in her space.

Her appetite has improved now that she feels more secure in herself and trusts our staff won't hurt her. We are still working with Dottie, at her pace, to reduce her anxiety and shyness when outside her kennel. We are ensuring she experiences lots of play activities and is starting to enjoy playing with other dogs when possible, building her confidence.

Dottie still has a long journey ahead of her to recover from the trauma she endured, but when she is reunited with her family, we will provide some helpful training and enrichment tips to keep her progressing into the confident and happy dog so she can thrive in her new safe home without the overhanging effects of trauma.