Pet owners will risk anything for their pets, study shows

It's no secret that we all form very strong emotional bonds with our pets. But new research has found that owners may be willing to risk something to stay with their pet, even in life-threatening situations.

The new study, which brings together 27 years of research by international scientists, shows that people in crisis, including victims of domestic violence, face added hardship and risk when separated from their beloved animals. found. Separation can also lead to subsequent guilt and distress.The research results were published in a magazine Anthrosose.

“Our findings reveal that strong emotional attachments between humans and animals can leave both vulnerable in situations where that bond is threatened,” said the lead author. said author Jasmine Montgomery, a doctoral candidate at Australia's James Cook University, in the paper's abstract. discovery. “When people are forced to separate during crisis situations such as natural disasters, homelessness or domestic violence, there can be psychological distress and health risks, and well-being and safety are greatly affected. Sadly, this review also confirmed that abuse and death are common outcomes for pets in cases of domestic violence.”

To arrive at these findings, scientists examined 42 case studies involving the separation of owners and pets due to crisis situations such as domestic violence, homelessness, and natural disasters.

They found that in domestic violence situations, victims often delay leaving the situation because of their pets. Owners often choose to stay in abusive relationships beyond safe periods to protect their pets, the study reported.

“This is often due to a lack of shelter or housing available for pets, or a lack of trust in formal support systems to ensure that pets are not separated from them,” Montgomery said. “If threats are made against a pet, the victim may be lured back to the perpetrator, which also poses a significant risk to the victim’s safety.”

Natural disasters were also studied. The study said the severity and frequency of floods, fires and earthquakes are increasing, meaning companion animals that “rely on their owners for survival and care” are also at risk.

The study found that forced separation during such events is an “untenable situation”.

“In times of housing crises, natural disasters, and domestic violence, people may be separated from their pets and forced to leave them behind,” the authors write. “Forced separation can cause intense grief, guilt, and trauma, leading to decreased psychosocial functioning.”

Homeless people were in a similar situation. Researchers have found that homeless people often have health problems as well as unemployment. They are also exposed and vulnerable to violence and exploitation. This can lead to separation from your pet due to the lack of comfortable accommodation for the animal. However, this also leads to increased mental pain and guilt for the owner.

“In many cases, we would expect people to choose human interests over animals at all costs, without considering the common bond between humans and animals,” Montgomery said. “What we need to do is take pets and their value seriously, and collectively as a community we must share that responsibility and consider the needs of pets in policy development, legislation and services.” 'Providing supplies and housing to prevent unacceptable outcomes such as animal abuse and death.' ”

Following these findings, researchers have identified several steps that can be implemented to improve the situation.

These include services that help people in domestic violence situations, take in more pets, and ask questions about pets. For natural disasters, the researchers recommended developing an evacuation plan that includes a plan. Pet-friendly accommodations are also needed for homeless people, the authors said.

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