Two dogs that were among the first to go to a new refuge for animals affected by domestic violence, have been reunited with their owners.
The pair spent a week at Pet Refuge in Auckland, while their owners were escaping abusive situations.
The purpose-built Pet Refuge was opened earlier this month and is able to take up to 75 animals at a time, keeping them safe until they can be reunited with owners.
It's programme manager Nikki Marchant-Ludlow said the reunion happened before lockdown and was hugely emotional.
"They were delighted to have their pets back, they knew that they'd been well cared for," she said.
"Just to see the kind of joy on their faces when they were reunited with their pets ... was really great.
"It just really cemented for me that the service is really needed and is valued."
Marchant-Ludlow said a number of other pets at the refuge were also set to be reunited with their owners once lockdown was over.
Some pets had also come in during lockdown and Marchant-Ludlow admitted she was worried about the rates of domestic violence during this time.
"In the first lockdown that we had, we know that police received increased numbers of reported family violence," she said.
"So it is a concern for us that, again, we're seeing those same situations, so we are concerned that we're going to see those numbers increase again."
Where to get help:
Women's Refuge: (0800 733 843)
It's Not OK (0800 456 450)
Shine: 0508 744 633
Victim Support: 0800 650 654
HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): be 04 801 6655 - 0
The National Network of Family Violence Services NZ has information on specialist family violence agencies.
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
RNZ
