The Abuse of Animals and Domestic Violence: A National Survey of Shelters for Women who are Battered

In conducting this research, one shelter from each state (and D.C.) completed a questionnaire asking "whether women or children coming to the shelter mentioned companion animal abuse, and whether the respondents had noted the coexistence of domestic violence and companion animal abuse and, if so, their estimate of the extent of overlap between these forms of violence. We also asked whether a question about companion animal abuse was included in the shelter's intake interview."

In summary, the majority of shelters surveyed specified that women who seek shelter from abuse also mention companion animal abuse. A smaller majority of shelters specified that children mentioned instances of companion animal abuse in their homes, although it was found that where the children mention companion animal abuse, the women typically do so as well.

These findings imply that collaborative programs and efforts between animal welfare groups and domestic violence organizations may have some effect in reducing violence to all human and human victims. Related issues are discussed.