Tenerife Launches Pet Sanctuary Program for Domestic Violence Survivors
Tenerife's island government will launch a program to temporarily shelter pets of women experiencing domestic violence, ensuring their safety by preventing animal-related abuse.
Tenerife's island government, the Cabildo, plans to create a program to help women experiencing domestic violence by looking after their pets. This program aims to make sure women can leave safely, knowing their animals won't be used against them.
The Cabildo has agreed to support this initiative, which will provide temporary, suitable shelter for pets. This will be done in partnership with social services, animal welfare groups, and the police.
The plan also involves setting up the necessary resources to get the program running. This includes creating a clear action plan and building partnerships with local councils, organizations, vets, and specialist groups, depending on available funding and resources.
Two existing programs, Viopet and Acopet, already work together to support animals and their owners in difficult situations. They tackle different aspects but are part of the same support network.
Viopet is run by the Observatory of Violence towards Animals and the Directorate General of Animal Rights. Acopet, a newer program, is supported and managed by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) along with the Ministry of Equality.
The Cabildo will now look into officially joining the Acopet system, which was approved in February 2025 by the Ministry of Equality and is managed by the FEMP.