A memorandum of understanding, signed by Te Whare Pounamu Dunedin Women's Refuge and Otago SPCA, provides for special assistance to help women save their pets, and then save themselves.
Te Whare Pounamu funding co-ordinator Ruth Molloy, of Dunedin, said there was anecdotal evidence women were staying in violent relationships for fear of what would happen to their pets if they left.
Her organisation dealt with more than 1000 clients each year, and there was anecdotal evidence some women with pets needed special assistance to leave, she said.
The most recent example was a woman assisted by Te Whare Pounamu two weeks ago who refused to leave a violent relationship because she feared her pet would be at risk, Ms Molloy said.
"There's definitely cases where people are reluctant to leave home because their pets do get harmed," she said.
Pets could often become alternative targets in abusive relationships, Ms Molloy said.
"We are talking about very nasty things - dead pets and mutilated pets," she said.
The deal between Te Whare Pounamu and Otago SPCA was signed on September 11, but only unveiled yesterday - the same day Child, Youth and Family (CYF) and the SPCA signed a national agreement that would see CYF workers looking for signs of animal neglect and SPCA workers for signs of child abuse.
Under the Dunedin deal, pets will be housed by the SPCA free of charge for one week, followed by a subsidised rate for three additional weeks, if required.
The arrangements would be on a case-by-case basis, facilitated by Te Whare Pounamu staff.
Otago SPCA executive officer Phil Soper said the agreement would formalise a relationship that already existed, as his staff would report concerns to Te Whare Pounamu if they spotted something "that's not right".
"It's just something I think will help Women's Refuge when these situations arise for them. It's just really a good thing."
