A crisis accommodation program for the pets of domestic violence survivors in Queensland will receive an extra $200,000 in funding ahead of the upcoming state budget.
While a range of services provide emergency accommodation for women fleeing violent relationships, survivors are often forced to make the difficult decision to leave their animal companions behind, according to DV Connect spokeswoman Beck O'Connor.
"While the recent shelters and refuges that have been brought in to Queensland do accommodate animals, most emergency accommodation options throughout the state don't," Ms O'Connor said.
Ms O'Connor said pets even became tools of control for abusers as they sought to prevent survivors from leaving.
"Pets themselves are actually victims of domestic and family violence more commonly than you would actually want to know about," she said.
"Animals are a really important part of a family — they provide unconditional love, they provide companionship, they provide security, and they provide a real sense of connection.
Run through an 18-year-old partnership between the RSPCA and DV Connect, the Pets in Crisis program annually provides emergency accommodation for about 300 animals whose adopted families are escaping domestic violence.
The additional funding announced today will nearly double that capacity, adding more than 240 extra places per year.
RSPCA head of animal experience Nanda Ten-Grotenhuis said the additional funding was much needed.
"We get dogs of all sizes — puppies, cats, kittens — it could even be a goat or a bunch of chickens that we take into care," Ms Ten-Grotenhuis said.
"We are very full. We're finding that people are struggling to find accommodation where they will take pets, even though there are some great initiatives out there.
While the service generally offers 28 days of emergency accommodation, Ms Ten-Grotenhuis said some pets needed to stay longer.
"The program would prevent animals from being surrendered because it gives people an opportunity to find accommodation — and we all know how hard that is in general these days," Ms Ten-Grotenhuis said.
"For somebody who's leaving that sort of home situation that's no longer safe and has to relocate with children and all those things that come with that, then having a pet-friendly rental is generally hard to find. We offer that time to make that happen."
Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the program was a "game changer" for women experiencing domestic violence.
"We know that 25 per cent of women who experienced domestic violence that have a pet will often not leave the violent relationship because they are concerned about the welfare of their family pets," Ms Fentiman said.
"We're seeing many more women coming forward who are wanting to leave a violent relationship.
"We have to do everything we can to make sure they feel safe leaving that relationship.
