RSPCA inspector launches SafePaws to help abuse survivors keep their pets
Dr Lauren Roberts created SafePaws, an emergency pet care program. It helps domestic violence survivors escape abusive partners without abandoning their animals.
An RSPCA inspector found that women trapped in violent homes often stay. They fear losing their pets.
So she built a solution. Dr Lauren Roberts discovered the problem was real.
She found a woman's dog deliberately stabbed by her abusive partner. Research shows 70 per cent of families experiencing family violence have pets.
Abusers often harm animals to control their victims. Roberts created SafePaws to arrange emergency boarding and foster care for survivors' pets.
This lets women flee to shelters safely. In five months, 59 women with 104 animals were referred to SafePaws.
Family violence workers made these referrals. The program arranged 310 nights of emergency boarding for 24 of those animals.
Victoria Police saw an 81 per cent jump between 2020 and 2025. More cases flagged pet abuse as a family violence risk factor.
The program also offers preventative vet care and supplies, funded by the Petbarn Foundation.
Why it mattersFear for pets' safety is a barrier keeping abuse survivors trapped. Removing that barrier lets women escape dangerous relationships and get protection.
AustraliaAustralian domestic violence survivors can now access emergency pet care through SafePaws, removing a major obstacle to leaving abusive partners. The program is expanding across Australia.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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