NZ's only pet refuge hosts Christmas party for abused pets

While your cats and dogs may be at home wolfing down leftover Christmas ham and playing with new chew toys, some of the nation's pets are being held inside New Zealand's only pet refuge.

Pet Refuge, which was established in 2021, provides temporary housing for animals to go when their owners need to escape their homes after family violence or abuse.

Some of the animals in the refuge have seen their owners being abused, while others are victims themselves.

"We've had some horrific cases of dogs being burnt with cigarettes and all sorts of thing like that," Pet Refuge founder Julie Chapman told 1News.

"It is the reality of how pets are used as a means of control as part of family violence."

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Chapman said 55% of women delay leaving abusive situations out of fear for their pets' lives, and 24% of women have had their pets killed by abusive partners or family members.

Chapman said having a safe refuge for their pets "has really changed the lives of many people who've been living with violence for a long time".

"It's a pathway to freedom."

Today, a Christmas party was held for the animals staying at the shelter over the silly season.

Cats at the refuge were treated to a winter wonderland, while the dogs got to experience a gingerbread house.

The pets also have their own stockings filled with presents ready to be opened – with some assistance, of course.

Since Pet Refuge's opening, they have seen over 400 pets walk through their doors and have helped reunite over 380 with their owners.

Chapman said Christmas and New Year's is is normally the shelter's busiest time but for now, a Christmas party is underway.