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Original poster

Cat's protection 'domestic abuse' campaign...

107 replies

BlessedKali · 15/10/2023 23:56

This came up on my Facebook feed and I'm feeling a bit pissed off about it. Cat's protection must think they've come up with an emotive campaign to get people donating, but I think to compare animal cruelty to domestic abuse is pretty Insulting to the women survivors.

It feels like by using the term for cats, it undermines the gravity of the situation for women. It's hard enough for most people to understand how impactful domestic abuse can be, without now making out cats go through it too.

I'm thoroughly annoyed, I think I'll send an email tomorrow....

what do you think?

Cat's protection 'domestic abuse' campaign...
OP posts:
Jewelspun · 17/10/2023 10:10

You are implying that only women suffer from domestic abuse.

Men do to.

Anyway I've never heard anything so ridiculous as to be offended by an advert because you've misconstrued the meaning.

Domestic means just that, in the home.

It applies to females, males and animals too. All that are abused in a home setting.

Only write them an email if you want to look like a complete and utter ninny.

ErrolTheDragon · 17/10/2023 10:18

It's a good and unfortunately very necessary service with a somewhat suboptimal advert.

As this is just a small online thing, hopefully the CPL have others which focus on the people too? The Dogs Trust poster I mentioned was in a service station loo so had room for more info and a captive audience for the length of a wee.

Ofcourseshecan · 18/10/2023 16:57

A lot of sadists start out by abusing animals and go on to abuse humans. Animals are also in danger where women or children are being abused. It’s a valuable advert.

HercuIesMorse · 18/10/2023 17:03

My only problem with this ad is that it's unclear. Is it cats in domestic abuse households or cats being abused?

I have no issue being compared to a cat, personally, but I do find the use of 'DA' maybe a bit try-hard.

Animals can experience physical and sexual abuse, in some ways they're even more trapped than human adults. Meanwhile there are women who've not experienced those but may have had verbal/emotional abuse. Cats feel pain the same as us. It's not good to compare these things.

Vinorosso74 · 18/10/2023 17:23

CP volunteer here. Firstly, the advert is actually after fosterers not money. Personally, I think it's quite clear what the ad is for. Ok, I am aware of the service and what the charity do.
The scheme is currently called Paws Protect (name will be changing). It is a service which provides a temporary home for cats of people escaping domestic violence until the human(s) are settled in a new home. Sadly, it is necessary and well used. A lot of people stay because they don't want to leave their pets behind so this is a service to help with that aspect.
Not sure how many people are currently aware of the scheme but there will be more in the next month or so.

AlwaysGinPlease · 18/10/2023 17:31

YABU and ridiculous. Animals are victims of DV. Not just humans. Humans can get out even if they find it hard, they are actually able. Animals are stuck. Have a word with yourself.

Pretendthatwearedead · 18/10/2023 17:41

I am almost sure they mean cats who find themselves homeless after leaving with women who have experienced domestic abuse and can't take them into their temporary accommodation with them.

AlwaysGinPlease · 18/10/2023 18:49

Vinorosso74 · 18/10/2023 17:23

CP volunteer here. Firstly, the advert is actually after fosterers not money. Personally, I think it's quite clear what the ad is for. Ok, I am aware of the service and what the charity do.
The scheme is currently called Paws Protect (name will be changing). It is a service which provides a temporary home for cats of people escaping domestic violence until the human(s) are settled in a new home. Sadly, it is necessary and well used. A lot of people stay because they don't want to leave their pets behind so this is a service to help with that aspect.
Not sure how many people are currently aware of the scheme but there will be more in the next month or so.

Thank you 💕

AnneWhittle · 18/10/2023 19:03

yes, thank you

Original poster
BlessedKali · 18/10/2023 22:19

I understand the premise of the advert now, but misunderstood it initially. However I totally disagree with PPs who think that cats can be victims of domestic abuse in the same way women can. Yes a cat can be abused, but it is not comparable to what a woman might face - coercive control, gaslighting, the chipping away of one's self esteem, threats, threats against children, sexual abuse...the list goes on.

My initial point ( althought not necessary now AS I MISUNDERSTOOD THE ADVERT) was that domestic abuse is already mis-understood by the majority of the population, and is not taken seriously enough. Making out cats can suffer it diminishes the gravity of the situation for women. Like an advert saying cats suffer from racism might dimish the concept of racism.

ANYWAY, I work in advertising and that advert is unclear. Though I now think the advert is intentionally unclear to pull on heart strings.

OP posts:
greenbeansnspinach · 19/10/2023 08:47

Yes racism like many other evils seems to be a specialism of the human species.

Craftycorvid · 19/10/2023 08:52

Threatening to hurt or kill their partner’s pets is just one of the many charming behaviours of abusive people. Hence, yes, just as children may be the victims of their parents’ abusive relationship, so can animals. Having pets and being scared to leave them with an abuser is a big dis-incentive to leaving. Many hostels will not take a pet. I get that the ad’ lacks some context!

CwmYoy · 19/10/2023 08:54

I also find it offensive. To equate animals with humans is always weird.

Theunamedcat · 19/10/2023 08:55

Abusers also target family pets further trapping their victims with the problem that should they flee with the children the abuser will take it out on the family pet so foster carers for people fleeing abuse are badly needed

HercuIesMorse · 19/10/2023 08:56

Is domestic abuse not taken seriously already? I'm not so sure.

ErrolTheDragon · 19/10/2023 09:00

HercuIesMorse · 19/10/2023 08:56

Is domestic abuse not taken seriously already? I'm not so sure.

Not seriously enough for the means of prevention and escape to be properly funded.

IClaudine · 19/10/2023 09:05

If the rest of the advert explains the context properly, it is fine. It is a very good idea.

SallyWD · 19/10/2023 09:11

Domestic abuse means abuse within the home. Cats can absolutely be domestic abuse victims and are helpless, silent victims. I applaud Cats Protection for this campaign.

SallyWD · 19/10/2023 09:13

CwmYoy · 19/10/2023 08:54

I also find it offensive. To equate animals with humans is always weird.

Why are they equating animals with humans? I really don't understand. They're saying cats be be abused within the home which is true.

HercuIesMorse · 19/10/2023 09:20

Lots of thing aren't properly funded.

But I would not say it's not taken seriously in this context ie. People won't take women seriously due to this ad because cats can be victims of DA.

Invisimamma · 19/10/2023 09:21

The advert is really badly worded. I can see how you read it like that, it's not clear at all.

But lots of women stay in relationships with abusive men because they can't flee with their pets. Most women's aid refuges can't take pets and many private rentals don't accept pets either.

The dogs trust also offer a dog fostering service for women fleeing domestic abuse, until they are in a position to be reunited again.

It could mean the difference between someone leaving or not if they know their pets will be looked after and have somewhere safe to go.

AlisonDonut · 19/10/2023 09:26

The line is really badly worded.

It is on them to be clear, not you to have to start threads on mumsnet to get some idea of what it is they are trying to do.

If you want to email them that feedback, then I think that would be worthwhile.

How hard would it have been to say 'help a family fleeing domestic abuse by fostering their beloved cat' or something that is clear?

K1nga23 · 19/10/2023 09:30

If you saw the level of abuse and neglect many animals suffer at the hands of humans, who like you OP, see them as less deserving of love and care than people, your heart would likely break.

Charities like CP do so much work and their fosterers are always busy. And the charities also try to “free” animals that are visibility being abused and neglected, because most people disregard their suffering as “not my problem”.

NewDogOwner · 19/10/2023 09:31

Not wanting to leave pets can be a reason that women think twice about leaving dangerous situations. They often can't take them to temporary accommodation or shelters.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 19/10/2023 09:31

My ex rehomed the dog after getting progressively nastier towards it as an intrinsic part of the abuse. Forced the eldest to say goodbye and told her it was my doing.

He then lost his temper with the cat and terrified it. This sparked off the most intense period of violence which nearly ended in my death a week later when he turned on the toddler.

He then, after I'd left him, tried to get the animals taken away, thinking that the rspca would believe him and put the cat to sleep/prosecute me for his lies.

Cats do need to flee domestic abuse. Because they are victims of it. And tools of it. And pointing that out could help people to realise that it's not OK because 'He hasn't hit me, he was just angry because she scratched the sofa, if I piss him off, I know he'll take it out on her because he's always said I love her more than him'.

They are victims of domestic abuse along with their owners and any children.