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Loading...Protecting Pets Victimized By Domestic Violence
Peanuts is a Chihuahua that suffered from a severe disk disease in his spine. Paw Paw is a precocious tabby that was in terrible pain because of a urethral obstruction.
Both animals would have died if the women’s shelter their owners fled to, didn’t accept pets.
More shelters for domestic abuse are inviting in the cats and dogs of their clients as the connection between domestic violence and animal abuse becomes more well-known.
In a study about intentional animal abuse, 13 percent of the cases also reported domestic violence in the home.
The Shade Tree shelter for women and their children in Las Vegas, NV recognized the link and in 2007 opened an adjacent facility called Noah’s Animal House to protect the cats and dogs of their residents.
The shelter can house up to 13 dogs and 15 cats and the pets are welcome to stay until their owners get back on their feet. The facility has been at full capacity since it opened.
Noah’s Animal House is managed by Crystal McIntosh, who is a licensed veterinary technician. She examines the pets on their initial in-take and local veterinarians like Tiffany Paul, D.V.M. contribute medical attention as needed.
Many of the services are provided through grants such as the Banfield Charitable Trust that offers dental care for the animals.
Peanuts’ owner came to The Shade Tree with her two children after they became homeless and had nowhere else to turn. About one-third of the residents at the shelter are there because of economic reasons.
A grant from Build A Bear paid for Peanuts to see a veterinary neurologist who successfully performed surgery on the dog’s spine.
His owner knew her little dog would have died if she hadn’t found her way to The Shade Tree and Noah’s Animal House. She said, “Now I know why I am here.”
The American Humane Association said that victims of abuse are keenly aware of the risk to their pets when they flee from a violent relationship without them. Many chose to stay in an abusive situation when their community doesn’t offer a women’s shelter that also accepts pets.
To bring attention to the problem, AHA began the Pet’s and Women’s Shelters (PAWS) Program in 2008. At the time AHA was only aware of 4 women’s shelters that offered on-site housing for animals.
Paw Paw, the precocious kitty also received veterinary care for his obstruction. It was paid for by a grant from a local foundation called The Bennett Family Foundation.
He and his family still live at The Shade Tree where Paw Paw has become a little show off. He spends time with his family every day.
From the beginning of the program another group has worked behind the scenes at Noah’s Animal House. The Heaven Can Wait Animal Society (the rescue group this writer help to found) makes sure that every cat and dog is spayed/neutered and vaccinated free of charge.
For many of the animals, these are the only protective vaccinations they have received. HCWS teamed up with Noah’s Animal House to make sure all of the pets in the shelter remain healthy.
Today there are shelters across the U.S. and in several other countries. You can check out the complete list at Ahimsa House. And AHA offers a start-up guide for communities that want to launch a program.
With help from grants and other local organizations, every city can save the pets victimized by domestic violence.
Read more: animal abuse, animal welfare, animals, domestic violence, domestic violence and pets
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Recent Comments from Causes
With so many of the religion of the perpetually complaining demanding sharia law in any western country…
Love u cute lovable babies! Long lives to you!
Marty Abel, thank you so much for caring about this precious little one.
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259 comments
+ add your ownThis is an area that has been ignored too long.
Yes, Tragic & Alarming... But Tomorrow Can Bring About Better & Far More Workable Solutions To Domestic Abuse & Especially Pets Victimized By Domestic Abuse.
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WHEN WE ALL WORK DILIGENTLY TO PROTECT PERSONS & THEIR PETS WHO ARE TRYING TO START NEW LIVES...
I think this is a fantastic idea because these poor pets probably take the brunt of the punishment after the wife and kids flee.
I believe that having the pets with them in the safe house would also help to console the children.
I love what you and your organization do for animals and those who love them.
I don't have money to give but if Pepsi Refresh runs another round of grants, please apply and let us know. I'd be happy to vote. Every day I vote for as many pet pantries and seniors to keep pets I can find within the 10 voting limit.
I don't have money to give, but if the Pepsi Refresh program runs another round of grants, please apply for it, and let us know... I'd gladly vote. Right now every day I vote for as many pet pantries as I can find. And for seniors to keep their pets.
I wish all shelters would make accomadations for animals. I was married to an abuser and he use to drown cats in our pool because he didn't like them and he use to abuse our dogs. One day while he was at work, with the help of my brother and friends we loaded everything up including the dogs and my daughter and i escaped that life.
I think this is great that they can take their pets with the family into the shelter from the abuser. This should be in every state.
Vets are now in the front line to suspect if the animal is being abused good chance the other familiy members are being abused.
Animal abuse and neglect continues to be under-examined in our society. Statistics and stories tell us clearly that animals are often abused in environments where women and children are being abused (and vice versa)... It's all connected.
What we really need to do is to start unpacking the rigid definitions of 'masculinity' that disempower boys and men who then 'act out' through violence. Do not read this as an excuse for violent behaviour - each of us must be accountable for our actions - but lets not ignore the context that shapes the options for behaviour that people can choose from...
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