Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

“Why doesn’t she just leave?”

We believe this is an outdated and unhelpful question. Instead, we challenge people to ask, ‘Why doesn’t the perpetrator stop using violence?’ Or ‘What can I do to help the victim/s leave?’

Why focus on pets?

Research (worldwide) shows a staggering number of victims of family and domestic violence (FDV) ‘don’t just leave’ an abusive relationship because their abuser has threated to hurt or kill their pet if they do. Sadly, there are also alarming statistics to show that when someone finally has the courage to flee with their pets, they are faced with further trauma, fear, and uncertainty when they have nowhere safe to house their pets. You can find out more on our further information & resources page.

We have identified individuals and organisations working tirelessly to address this issue, but they are underfunded and under resourced - that's where we believe we can help; these are the superheroes that we want to support with profits from your purchases. By removing barriers to leaving, Fleebags helps to support safer, earlier exits - protecting people and animals, and helping to break the cycle of violence.

How does it work? Do I have to deliver a kit to someone? How are the profits used?

All great questions - here’s how it works. You buy a branded Fleebags tote, we put your money to work.

• 100% of profits from your purchase are invested back into our mission - helping pets and their humans escape violence together. 
• Profits support:
  • • initiatives raising awareness about the animal-human violence link in FDV settings
    • donating funds to pet-friendly organisations providing safe options for people and their pets fleeing family and domestic violence (FDV)
    • packing and distributing free, unbranded, emergency 'flee bags' filled with basic, short-term pet supplies. You do not have to pack or deliver / drop off emergency ‘flee bags’ or supplies. The branded tote you purchase is for you - a symbol of hope and a reminder of your compassion - the money we receive from your purchase is used in a targeted number of ways to support animal and human victims of violence flee unsafe homes and find safety together. 

Who receives the unbranded, emergency kits?

Our free 'flee bags' are for people and their pets leaving, or preparing to leave, an abusive relationship. We know from statistics that just before and just after leaving an abusive relationship are the most dangerous times for a victim experiencing FDV. Our emergency ‘flee bags’ are therefore unbranded and unremarkable in their ordinariness to ensure victim safety by not standing out to a perpetrator as an escape kit. They are discreetly available at various locations (showing our logo), such as veterinary clinics, FDV support services, and a growing number of community organisations.

What’s in the ‘flee bag’ emergency kits?

These emergency kits have basic pet supplies ~ dry food, poop bags, poop scoop, collapsible food and water bowl, toy, natural pet calming remedy ~ for short-term care of pets while their owner focuses on their own safety. We know that cats and dogs are the predominant victims of FDV pet abuse, however we understand that all pets are family. As we grow and become more aware of demand for other pets such as pocket pets, birds, etc., we will work to pack and distribute individualised kits.

Is Fleebags a charity?

No, Fleebags is not a charity. Fleebags currently operates as a hybrid model - a business with a social mission. Profits from product sales fund our mission and impact as we bolster the work of individuals and community organisations to deliver funds and support where it's most needed. As we grow, we have our hearts set on one day becoming a recognised, Australian registered charity.

What does Fleebags do to be environmentally friendly?

From the coffee we drink while we're packing bags, to the packaging we use to send your purchase to you, we work hard to find sustainable, eco-friendly options to decrease our muddy footprint on the planet. Our branded Fleebags are 100% cotton canvas and the company we thoughtfully source our bags from plants a tree for every 100 branded totes they sell. For our packaging, we use home-compostible, zero-waste mailers.

Do you deliver internationally?

No, we don’t. International shipping and logistics can be costly, and we want as much of every purchase as possible to go towards supporting victim-survivors and their pets. By concentrating our efforts domestically we're able to stretch funds further. We know the human-animal violence link is a global issue, and as we grow, we'd love to look at ways to support others beyond our own borders. For now, our priority is depth of impact over geographic reach.