Post by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Earlier this week Baroness Hayman visited Cats Protection to hear about their Lifeline project, which provides free, temporary fostering for pets belonging to people fleeing domestic abuse. Research shows a strong link between pet abuse and domestic abuse; abusers often use harm to animals as a tool of coercive control, trapping victims in dangerous situations. Pet fostering services like Lifeline help remove that barrier so people can leave safely with peace of mind about their animals. As part of our Animal Welfare Strategy we're also taking action: ✔️ Commissioning research into the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse ✔️ Working with the veterinary profession to help vets spot signs of abuse through injuries to pets ✔️Strengthening pet microchipping rules so survivors' details can't be accessed by perpetrators.