women with pets report domestic abuse a year later than women without pets
women with pets report domestic abuse a year later than women without pets
Blijf van mijn Dier creates a faster path to safety for survivors and their pets in the Netherlands.
Problem
For victims of domestic violence, it can be terrifying to put yourself first and risk leaving loved ones behind. That includes pets.
Solution
In 2014, Blijf van mijn Dier emerged from an unlikely partnership between IFAW and a Dutch women’s shelter. We encourage shelters across the Netherlands to welcome the pets of families suffering from abuse. If this is not possible, we find a loving foster home for the pets.
What started as a small project has become so much more. Today, Blijf van mijn Dier is not only collaborating with survivors and social workers, but also with politicians, local law enforcement, universities, vets, and animal shelters throughout the country.
Our network is expanding, too. Since November 2016, Blijfgroep – another women’s shelter in the Netherlands – has started to allow pets in their five shelter facilities.
Impact
Every problem has a solution, every solution needs support.
The problems we face are urgent, complicated, and resistant to change. Real solutions demand creativity, hard work, and involvement from people like you.