I met Cats Protection's Head of Government Relations, Madison Rogers, in Parliament to find out how the charity is helping domestic abuse survivors.

Cats Protection hosted the parliamentary reception to raise awareness of its Lifeline service, which provides free cat fostering to enable cat owners to escape domestic abuse.

According to the charity, 78% of domestic abuse professionals surveyed have encountered cases where cats were targeted by abusers – often to control a partner and stop them leaving.

39% of those domestic abuse professionals have encountered cases where a cat has been killed by a perpetrator of domestic abuse.

Because most women's refuges cannot take pets, cat owners can be left to choose between staying with their abuser or leaving without their pet, knowing it may come to harm.

The Lifeline service is being expanded into the Midlands this month.