One hundred pets belonging to **women victims of violence** received assistance thanks to the **Acopet** program. It operates in [Spain](https://noticiasambientales.com/residuos/espana-implementara-un-sistema-para-reducir-las-botellas-de-plastico/) since June 2023.
It applies to the animals of those who were rescued and moved to emergency spaces. It was found that almost **60% of the victims delay** leaving their abuser out of fear of retaliation against their animals.
There are numerous cases of pets that even become victims of **vicarious violence or “substitution”**.
### Acopet: the aid for pets of women victims of violence
The Spanish state program **Acopet assisted 102 animals**. The **State Pact against Gender Violence** also includes the aforementioned program, which protects these pets.
It is a service that takes care of dogs or cats for as long as they need, so they can **rebuild their lives**.
According to the **Observatory of Violence Against Animals**, **86%** of surviving female victims of gender violence and **63%** of minors claim that their animals have also been mistreated.
“What gives us the **goosebumps** the most is where the woman’s **anxiety** is most evident in trying to get the animal out of the place,” explained **Olga Fernández**, a technician in charge of Acopet.
“She forwarded us the audios from the abuser saying he would harm the animal and that it would be her fault,” she emphasized.
“We are very happy to **take care of them** and make women feel at ease. We **help the victim psychologically** because her dog is taken care of, and we help the animal, as it comes defenseless after suffering violence too,” said a representative from one of the protection centers.
### The cases
According to official figures, since the FEMP took over the program in June 2023, **102 animals of women victims of gender violence** have been assisted.
Of these, **82 were** or are temporarily sheltered, while in **20 cases**, the victims’ situation changed before formalizing the aid.
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