Protecting Animal Victims of Domestic Violence

by Stephanie Feldstein · 2010-01-23 06:00:00 UTC
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Last year, a woman chose not to go to a shelter because she couldn't bring her dog with her. The next day, her ex-partner stabbed her to death.

According to the ASPCA, half of all of domestic violence victims delay seeking help for the sake of their pets. Their fears are not unfounded: More than 70 percent of women entering shelters report that their abusers had also threatened, injured, or killed family pets.

Victims of domestic abuse who have pets are put in a tough spot. They not only have good reason to worry about their pets, but they often rely on their companion animals as a source of comfort and support. Yet, most shelters won't accept pets. In early 2008, American Humane knew of only four shelters that provided on-site housing for animals. They created the Pets and Women's Shelters Program to give shelters the tools to include refuge for animal victims of domestic violence to stay with their families.

Now there are dozens of shelters across the country who provide on-site housing, and several more that are in the process of setting up accommodations for pets. Each shelter sets up its own program, and they vary in type and number of animals allowed. Some local humane societies also work with social service organizations to provide a safe haven for pets. These programs don't have the benefit of keeping families together, but at least knowing their animals are safe allows women to seek the help they need.

Ten states allow pets to be included in domestic violence protection orders, recognizing them as family members: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, New York, Tennessee, and Vermont. Several other states are considering pet protection bills, and the rest should be. At the federal level, Congress was considering the designation of a National Link Awareness Month last year, an official recognition of the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence, which could help move the forty states that are lagging toward providing protection for pets. Tell your representative to take this step toward helping all victims of domestic abuse.

Photo credit: MarcinMoga/Lolek

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.
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