Gold Coast domestic violence refuge on brink of closure without transport help

The Sanctuary Women, Children and Pet’s Refuge is the only of its kind in the country to offer those fleeing domestic violence situations a place to stay alongside their animals, instead of using emergency fosters, however that may have to change.

ONE of Australia’s only pet friendly domestic violence refuges is on the brink of closure because of a lack of funding.

The Sanctuary Women, Children and Pet’s Refuge, based at Palm Beach, offers those fleeing domestic violence situations a place to stay alongside their animals, instead of using emergency fosters.

In its two and a half years of operation the private charity has helped 118 people and 38 pets to safety. However, without funding for new transport founder Simone Patterson says she will need to close.

GOLD COAST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRAGEDY REVEALED

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The service’s faithful but old twin cab ute, which removes families and animals from dangerous situations, is at its end, and Ms Patterson said the charity could not afford a new one.

“We use it to transport food, clothing, waste disposal, donations and wheelie bins filled with vegetables to feed animals,” she said.

“We also move women from hospitals, police stations, court and children from school.

“The ute we have is in its final stages and I wont be able to keep using it for much longer.

“I really need a good ute that will last but we have applied for funding and grants and have had no luck. Without it we will not be able to operate.”

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Simone Patterson the Founder and CEO of the Sanctuary Women, Children and Pet's Refuge. Picture Mike Batterham

Ms Patterson was first driven to help domestic violence victims after watching the Allison Baden-Clay case.

Inspired, Ms Patterson and her husband took out a mortgage in their retirement to fund the venture, and still receive no state or federal funding.

Ms Patterson, who has dislocated her hip twice while moving goods, also seeks an automatic lifter to be installed on the ute.

“We need to move bins that sometimes weight 120kg, but it is physically impossible for me,” she said.

“We get people from as far as Perth and Victoria come to us because they have nowhere else to go.

“People love their pets like their children so they are prepared to stay in a violent home to keep them safe.

“The Sanctuary allows them to escape with their pets by their side.”

A Go Fund Me has been set up for the refuge, however as of Wednesday had only raised $400.