In surveys of domestic violence survivors, as many as 48 percent have indicated that they delayed leaving a dangerous situation because they had no way to keep their pets safe. When survivors do leave a violent relationship, many seek protection orders. Recognizing the importance of protecting companion animals, more than four out of five US states nationwide have now enacted laws allowing for their inclusion in such orders.
Georgia is the latest state to pass such a statute, bringing the total to 42 states, along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Although pet protection statutes vary from one state to another, they commonly allow courts to award custody of pets to the person seeking the order and/or direct the abuser not to harm the pets, and may authorize law enforcement to assist in safe retrieval of pets. The Georgia law, which goes into effect on July 1, allows courts—in both family violence and dating violence protection orders—to award “care, custody, and control” of all household pets to the person seeking the order and order the abuser to refrain from harming, harassing, or concealing the pets.
Allowing for the inclusion of pets in protection orders is a critical step in breaking down barriers to safety and protecting survivors and their companion animals. The next vital step after passage of these laws is to ensure that domestic violence survivors and their advocates are aware these protections exist. AWI offers state-specific guides to help survivors and professionals learn about the protections available in their state and how to obtain them. A guide for Georgia is forthcoming.