While screaming and shouting can often make them feel extremely nervous and as though they are the ones 'in trouble', if there is any physical violence in the home, there is also the risk that they may attack one of the owners in order to protect the other. In many cases where couples are experiencing difficulties, pets can also suffer from a certain degree of neglect or lack of attention, although not deliberately on the part of the owners. Whichever way you look at it, for pets to live in a very unsettled environment like this is neither fair nor healthy for them. Such situations could easily lead to scared and stressed-out pets prone to various types of behavioural problems, including seperation anxiety, excessive barking, or even growling and biting.

Another side of a situation where there are pets in a household in which domestic violence is an issue is the fact that, in the same way that a woman might stay with an abusive partner for the sake of the children, she may also be inclined to stay for the sake of a beloved family dog.

Seeing these difficulties , and in particular how the tie to their pets was keeping some women in tragic and often dangerous sets of circumstances, remarkable animal lover Marian Edwards began offering a fostering service for pets, in support of the help given by Welsh Women's Aid. Ms Edwards does not charge for looking after these unintentional victims of domestic abuse, but does so voluntarily and for a small contribution towards feeding expenses, thereby offering a truly valuable service within her local community.

The resident of Nantlle Valley, Gwynedd, in fact now fosters various kinds of pets. However, dogs dominate the foster home. Welsh Women's Aid believed the worry over the well-being of loved ones, especially children and pets as well could be a major hurdle to parting with an abusive partner.

Ms Edwards decided she would offer the foster home service for animals, primarily dogs. She added: "It can be a real issue with women not willing to get out of an abusive relationship if it leads to leaving their beloved pet behind."

However, the fact that their children and even pets will be safe after leaving an abusive partner can provide some relief. If she is not able to help her pets, she now knows someone else who actually can.

Animal rescue centres will, in some cases, also be able to help owners in difficult circumstances to find temporary accommodation for their pets, and so it is always worthwhile checking with the one closest to you to see whether there is anything that they can do to help.

Whatever the circumstances within the family home, providing for your family pets should be of the utmost importance, and taking out pet insurance will, of course, ensure that you do not suddenly find yourself faced with unmanageable vet's fees should your pet become sick or be injured.