Pet Refuge NZ - Ginni's 50th birthday Level 4 lockdown fundraiser

Sucks to be me having my 50th birthday in lockdown! I was meant to be celebrating this weekend but instead I am at home in Level 4 lockdown.

Now that I am done with my pity party I have decided to do a fundraiser with two issues close to my heart - domestic violence and the welfare of animals. So join me in doing something that's empowering!

Pet Refuge NZ is new... its a purpose built facility much like a women's refuge but its for pets of people needing to escape domestic violence but needing a safe place to have their pets looked after while they get their own situation and safety sorted out.

Please help me fundraise so they can continue their important work. Many of you know that I was in the Police and because of that work I saw the sharp end of domestic violence and its effects on the abused partner, including frequently seeing pets that had been abused.

Research has established that where women are at risk, animals are also at risk.

2018 Women’s Refuge research of women whose partners had abused or threatened to abuse their pets found:

-22% of children witnessed pet abuse

-23% had an animal killed by their partner

-53% delayed leaving family violence out of fear for their pet’s safety

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