Dulux and Pet Refuge

Dulux has partnered with Pet Refuge to help people and pets in need.

Pet Refuge is a charitable trust that believes that no one should live with violence, and that’s why they have shelters that temporarily house pets affected by domestic violence, so their owners can escape abuse at home. The specially designed shelter in Auckland, is the first of its kind in NZ, with plans to build more around the country in key locations. NZ has the second-highest rate of pet ownership in the world, and unfortunately the highest rate of family violence in the OECD. The 2018 Women's Refuge survey of women whose pets were abused as part of domestic violence found 53% delayed leaving family violence out of fear for their pet’s safety. Most refuges don’t have facilities to house pets, so this creates a barrier for people wanting to leave, as they can’t face leaving their pets behind. By providing a shelter that works alongside Women’s Refuge, victims can leave with their pets, knowing there will be a safe place for them to go, and can be reunited once longer-term plans are in place.

Dulux has partnered with Pet Refuge to help people and pets in need.

Pet Refuge is a charitable trust that believes that no one should live with violence, and that’s why they have shelters that temporarily house pets affected by domestic violence, so their owners can escape abuse at home. The specially designed shelter in Auckland, is the first of its kind in NZ, with plans to build more around the country in key locations. NZ has the second-highest rate of pet ownership in the world, and unfortunately the highest rate of family violence in the OECD. The 2018 Women's Refuge survey of women whose pets were abused as part of domestic violence found 53% delayed leaving family violence out of fear for their pet’s safety. Most refuges don’t have facilities to house pets, so this creates a barrier for people wanting to leave, as they can’t face leaving their pets behind. By providing a shelter that works alongside Women’s Refuge, victims can leave with their pets, knowing there will be a safe place for them to go, and can be reunited once longer-term plans are in place.

Dulux contributed a significant amount of products and resources for the build of the shelter by supplying all the paint and coatings needed such as decorative paints like Wash&Wear®, Weathershield® and Aquanamel®. Dulux provided technical advice and interior design expertise for the shelter. It is expected that the pets Pet Refuge will care for will be stressed or traumatised so the interior environment they enter must provide a calming and positive energy. Contrary to what many people think, cats, dogs, birds and many other animals can see particular colours, and hence the plan to incorporate this into the design of the shelter through the Dulux Colours of New Zealand®. We used colour to help create a sense of calm, harmony and optimism for both the animals and the people who work there. Dulux has also sponsored a ‘virtual brick’ in the names of each of its NZ employees.

Dulux will also continue to provide donations for future support and with the help of the Dulux Dog, will continue to raise awareness for Pet Refuge and assist in future fundraising activities.

For more information, and how you can donate visit www.petrefuge.org.nz