22.10.25
On 21 October, Naturewatch Foundation, alongside Ruby’s Law and the All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG), hosted a truly powerful event in Parliament: “Protecting Pets in Domestic Abuse.”
Chaired by Irene Campbell MP and Dr Marc Abraham OBE, the evening brought together legal experts, survivors, campaigners, and policymakers, all sharing one mission: to protect every member of the family, including our beloved pets, from abuse.
Family Law and the Hidden Cost of Abuse
Christina Warner, family law barrister and founder of Ruby’s Law, opened the evening by sharing her experiences within the legal system. She explained why the campaign for Ruby’s Law exists and how it closes a painful gap in the justice system. Ruby’s Law essentially aims to ensure animals are recognised and protected within domestic abuse frameworks.
Catherine Haworth then spoke candidly about her own experiences handling family law cases. She described heartbreaking cases where pets were used as tools of control, harmed or even killed as part of domestic abuse. Her stories were a stark reminder of the suffering animals endure when the law overlooks them.
Voices of Courage
One of the most powerful moving parts of the evening came from survivor Jo Stevenson, who bravely shared her story of escaping abuse with her dog, Alfie. She spoke about how her abuser tried to control her through Alfie — and how that same bond ultimately gave her the courage to leave.
Speakers Sharon Livermore MBE and Rosie Watson then spoke through practical solutions that can make a difference. Sharon’s Policy helps workplaces support staff experiencing domestic abuse, and the WEPROTECT app connects frontline services to survivors and their pets when help is needed most.
A call for reform
The evening also allowed for a powerful open discussion with contributions from many different sectors, reflecting how widespread and interconnected these issues are. We heard from: Joanne Newbury, founder of Murphy’s Law, campaigners addressing early intervention for children who harm animals, David Martin from The Links Group, as well as The Empowering Men Initiative, and Chin Up Cardiff – a youth-led charity supporting victims of sexual assault.
Together, these voices sent a clear message: society must start recognising animals as sentient beings who deserve protection and care, not property.
What we’re calling for
At Naturewatch Foundation, we’re pushing for meaningful change. We’re aiming for:
- Mandatory training for police officers attending domestic abuse scenes
- Including pets in MARAC safeguarding processes
- Raising awareness of the strong link between human and animal abuse
A huge thank you to all MPs, speakers, and attendees at APDAWG 2025. Your support brings us closer to real change.
APDAWG 2025 showed the power of collaboration to protect survivors and their pets. Together, we can #BreakTheLink and make communities safer for everyone.
Find out more about our campaign here.
