*Scout was hidden for five days

Doors were smashed. Walls were damaged. For *Scout, home had become a frightening place filled with violence and fear.

Scout had always been deeply connected to her family. She seemed to know when someone was struggling and would stay close when they needed her most.

But as the violence escalated, Scout was living surrounded by tension, fear and destruction.

When things were at their worst, her human-mum noticed Scout staying nearby and watching from a distance — wanting to be close while also trying to keep herself safe.

The violence had taken away the place where Scout should have felt safest.

Then the family lost their home. Emergency accommodation didn’t allow pets, and there was no trusted friend or family member who could take Scout.

For five days, they hid her because they had nowhere else for her to go.

“We were doing everything we could to hold onto her while trying to survive ourselves.”

After living surrounded by violence, Scout desperately needed somewhere safe where she could begin recovering from the emotional trauma she had experienced.

Pet Refuge provides temporary shelter and care for pets while families escape family violence, including nationwide transport, a safe bed, vet care, food and bespoke enrichment and training.

In just two weeks, 17 dogs entered our shelter, and right now, at least six more are on our waitlist. Every day they wait can mean another day living with fear, instability or at risk of harm.

We can create more safe spaces through trusted boarding partners — but we need your help.

Give $30 a month to our Safe Beds for Pets programme and help get dogs like Scout off the waitlist, away from violence and into the safety they desperately need.