Domestic abuse victims could be allowed to bring pets into safe accommodation in Hertfordshire
Changes have been drawn up that would enable victims and survivors of domestic abuse to bring pets into safe accommodation commissioned by Hertfordshire County Council.
Currently, only a “small number” of safe accommodation units in the county can accommodate animals.
Officers say that can be a barrier to some, who will stay in abusive situations rather than leave their pets behind.
So now - as the county council sets out to recommission the service - officers have specified that accommodations should accept pets.
The change was highlighted at the latest meeting of Hertfordshire County Council’s public health and community safety cabinet panel, which looked at the recommissioning process.
Development manager Annette Miles said officers had identified that “survivors being able to leave with their pets was a really big barrier”.
She said they had made it a “really clear requirement” that services should be pet-inclusive, “because that’s a real barrier that survivors tell us is a reason they are not enabled and supported to leave domestic abuse”.
The change was welcomed by Cllr Gemma Moore (Liberal Democrat, Handside and Peartree), who said she recognised it as “such a huge barrier”.
Strategic partnerships team head of service Helen Gledhill set out how perpetrators could use pets as “another form of their control”.
She said: “It’s been such an important topic because it’s not only about leaving with your pet, it’s also that perpetrators will use violence against pets to threaten and make people stay. It’s another form of their control.”
Under the current contract - delivered by Safer Places and sub-contractor Cocoon - the council commissions 66 units of safe accommodation across the county.
Data presented to the cabinet panel shows that in 2025-2026 the service supported 183 adults in safe accommodation and 172 children.
Under the recommissioned contract, the number of units available is expected to increase to around 76, with a broader range of accommodation options available.
In the run-up to the recommissioning process, council officers have identified ways to strengthen provision - particularly for LGBTQ+ survivors, those with no recourse to public funds and those experiencing multiple disadvantage.
The recommissioned service will, says the report, increase capacity, expand specialist provision and strengthen support for children and resettlement.
The procurement process is ongoing - with bids due by November 20 and the contract due to be awarded in January. The current contract is due to end in June 2027.
The meeting of the public health and community safety cabinet panel was held on November 3 and can be viewed via the county council’s website.
Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via https://www.yourworld.net/submit/ It's free to use and, once checked, your story could appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.