Katie runs for Pet Refuge

Two and a half months ago I started running and completed two half marathons giving me such a positive shift in both my mental and physical health. Not wanting to lose that motivation and all those feel good feelings I decided to register to run in the Auckland marathon in October for my birthday.

While going through the registration process I noticed a way to make it even more worth while and about so much more than just helping myself by running for a charity. Initially I found choosing a charity hard until I saw the pet refuge ad and ended up in tears. I knew I wanted to help and also felt a little stupid I had never registered that pets would be a major barrier for those escaping domestic violence.

Pet Refuge's mission is to build shelters to make it possible for people with pets to leave the abuse behind and create new beginnings.

A 2018 womans refuge survey of woman whose pets were abused as part of domestic violence found the following:

23% had a pet killed by their partner

53% delayed leaving family violence out of fear of their pets safety

73% would have found it easier to leave if there was a shelter offering temporary accomodation for their pets

Any contribution big or small to help this cause would be extremely appreciated and potentially life saving.