The Proceeds of Crime Fund will allocate $2m to the Pet Refuge New Zealand Charitable Trust
Criminal gains will be used to fund efforts helping victims of violence and their pets leave abusive homes.
A total of $2m from the Proceeds of Crime Fund will be allocated to the Pet Refuge New Zealand Charitable Trust over three years. The funds will be used to provide emergency care and shelter to pets whose owners are running from family violence.
Pet Refuge was established in 2021 and has provided temporary accommodation to over 82,000 pets impacted by family violence. It merges a secure Auckland shelter with vetted boarding providers throughout New Zealand.
The Proceeds of Crime Fund investment will help finance Pet Refuge’s second shelter, which is set to launch in 2028. The funds will also be applied to pet welfare staff, case coordination, external boarding and expenses related to emergency placements and care.
Associate justice minister Nicole McKee noted that per Women’s Refuge research, over half of women stayed in violent environments out of concern for their pets.
“No one should have to choose between their own safety and leaving a beloved pet behind with a violent partner. For some victims, that is exactly the choice they face. Abusers can threaten or harm animals as another way of controlling their victims, and fear for a pet’s safety can keep people trapped in dangerous homes”, McKee said in a media release. “We are taking money out of the hands of criminals and using it to remove an obstacle that can keep victims exposed to violence”.
She added that Pet Refuge’s service enabled police and frontline family violence agencies to assist victims facing urgent risks.
“Police officers regularly encounter people at some of the most dangerous moments of their lives. When someone is ready to leave an abusive home, we want as few barriers as possible standing in their way. Knowing there is somewhere safe and confidential for a pet to go can make an enormous difference and allow police and other frontline services to focus on getting the victim and their family to safety”, McKee said.
The Proceeds of Crime Fund is supported by assets obtained through the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act. It is used to fund initiatives intended to cut down violent crime.
