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

[BlessedKali]

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?

I'm a survivor of domestic abuse and a cat lover. I would thoroughly support this.

I hope things are better for you now @NeverDropYourMooncup

Animal abuse can go alongside domestic abuse with partners abusing animals to get at their partners.

Also I think people can be too scared to report as they fear repercussions . I did this once anonymously as someone I worked with knew something but was too scared to say anything. I never told a soul . I rang crime stoppers.

Animal abuse and domestic abuse often go hand in hand. I used to work in cat rescue and a lot of the cats came from violent households and had been abused. It's often a way for abusers to control their partners. I myself stayed with an emotionally abusive partner far longer than I should have as I didn't want to leave my cats (he threatened to kill them if I left).

Yeah. Our own cat came is a rescue and it took so so long to get him to trust us. He was especially terrified of my partner but now curls up next to him. It’s heartbreaking to think what they have experienced because they can’t tell us with words. These charities do a lot of good work

There are people who will go to finding offensive first, they will always find something to be offended by so it depends.

I understood immediately what it meant

I think it means the cats have been in homes with DA. Maybe the family has split up so they need rehoming ?

Very much so, thank you.

I'm fully behind the campaign because of how pets are targeted for abuse.

OP, you are so wrong.

I'm going to give them a shout out because they’ve not been mentioned, but please familiarise yourself with REFUGE4PETS a charity that fosters animals of people who are being abused in order for them to escape. They give the pets back once the owners is safe and settled. Many, many people will not flee their situations because they don’t want to leave their pets behind to be abused in their place. Many perpetrators of domestic violence know this and they use pets to manipulate and abuse their owners. It’s deeply, deeply sad for both the victim of abuse and their animals. The advert is both appropriate and accurate.

I urge everyone to help support REFUGE4PETS - they do amazing work for animals and domestic abuse survivors. I’m not affiliated with them, I’m just deeply touched by their work.

Sorry, don't think I am. The advert is badly worded. I had no idea it was for a woman, the advert isn't clear. Just because you already know what the situation is and therefore understand the advert does not mean the advert is clear.

It’s not badly worded, you just don’t understand it. And more to the point you’re determined not to.

🍪

Yes, I didn't understand it BECAUSE it's badly worded. That's the thing withood communication: it conveys a message.

And no, I AM definitely determined to understand it: hence my posting here and also the three other posts in which I declared 'Oh, I understand it now'.

It IS badly worded if it does not accurately describe the situation, so that someone like myself who has no previous knowledge of such a campaign, does not understand what it really means. Saying that it is badly worded does not detract from the campaign itself or cast a bad light on Cats Protection. It's merely an observation.

The fact that about 5 other posters on this thread also did not understand/agree it's badly worded corroborates this.

It probably would be helpful for cats protection to know that it's badly worded, I for one am more inclined to help now that I understand that it is about fostering cats so that women can leave domestic violence.

There are some self righteous people posting in this thread who presumably think they never ever misunderstand anything and never ever have an opinion that might benefit from rethinking. If they are as pleasant to their cats as they have been to the OP, I am very sorry for their cats.

Poor cats. I hope people come forward to help.

Their messaging may be confusing, as essentially it's to take in cats that are in a home where DV is happening.

Some people who experience DV don't leave as they have pets and don't want to leave them behind.

By providing a safe space for animals involved in DV situations, you can essentially help the people.

As I stated in my earlier post the scheme is changing it's name.
There will be a new campaign the public can see in the coming weeks perhaps this may be clearer to those who misunderstood.

My cats were a major factor in staying with my abusive husband longer than I should have. It was very difficult to find somewhere to rent with two cats in tow and refuges won’t let you take them in with you. So yes, they are a factor.

I have been to an open day at a Cats Protection centre.

They do a scheme for domestic abuse victims, in that Cats Protection will look after victims' cats so the people escaping DA can go to a safe place, refuge, or wherever without worrying about losing their pet. When they are able to have their cat back they can do so, knowing they have been looked after during that time.

I assume this advert is to look for people to foster these cats.

I wonder if people ever read the following posts or just the original post and then comment?

You're wrong. Face facts.

This.

Yeah. It's insensitive. No one wants animal cruelty, but not a great idea to present it as equivalent to DV.

I get you misunderstood the advert but you do realise that cats and many other animals have been sexually abused at the hands of humans (usually men). Disgustingly it's not that unusual

Guilty as charged. I see now it's a badly drafted ad for a good thing!