Crime proceeds to help victims and their pets escape violence
New Zealand will redirect $2 million from seized criminal assets to support Pet Refuge, helping domestic violence victims escape with their pets.
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced that $2 million from the Proceeds of Crime Fund will be allocated over three years to Pet Refuge New Zealand Charitable Trust. The funding will sustain nationwide emergency shelter and care for pets whose owners are fleeing family violence. Pet Refuge operates a secure shelter in Auckland and partners with vetted boarding providers across the country to ensure pets can be safely accommodated during crises.
The initiative addresses a critical barrier identified by Women’s Refuge, where over half of surveyed women delayed leaving violent situations due to fear for their pets’ safety. Abusers often use threats or harm to animals as a means of control, trapping victims in dangerous homes. Pet Refuge provides temporary, secure accommodation for pets while victims access refuge, emergency housing, and support services, ensuring no one must choose between their safety and their pet.
Police and frontline family violence agencies will benefit from this service, which removes an additional obstacle when assisting victims at immediate risk. Officers frequently encounter individuals at life-threatening moments, and the availability of a safe, confidential option for pets allows them to focus on securing the victim’s safety and relocation.
The funding will support Pet Refuge’s existing nationwide service while also contributing to the development of a second shelter, expected to open in 2028. It will cover staffing, case coordination, boarding costs, and emergency care for pets, all funded through assets recovered under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.