why its important
Creating Foster Homes for Pets of Domestic Violence Households
Why it's important:
Pets are part of the family. Nearly 75% of families with children also include pets. When violence is part of the family, it is highly likely that pets experience that violence along with other members of the family. In a Utah study, 70% of women in domestic violence shelters reported that their partners threatened, harmed or killed their pets. Many domestic violence victims report reluctance to leave a violent home because of fear for the safety of their pets. So the bottom line is in order to protect the human and animal family members, all need to be safe. Pets must be included in safety planning.
When Maine enacted legislation that allows pets to be included in Protection From Abuse orders (LD 1881), little did those who worked on the bill and supported it realize that this law would impact so many other states! Anne Jordan, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and author of LD 1881 reports that as of October 2007, 9 other states have enacted similar legislation (Vermont, Connecticut, New York, Nevada, Colorado, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana and California) and legislation is pending in 8 other states. Also note that in 5 states efforts failed to enact this type of legislation (Texas, Michigan, Maryland, Utah and Virginia).
What are the options when a victim of domestic violence decides it's time to go to the shelter but can't bear the thought of leaving beloved pets with the abuser?
In Maine the victim can include pets in the Protection from Abuse order - but that won't help find a safe place for pets to stay. In March 2007, thanks to the Verizon Foundation, staff from humane societies and domestic violence agencies attended training on how to start and maintain pet foster home programs. As a result, there are both formal and informal programs available in several counties in Maine. Help is available in the six counties involved with the Linkage Project. The six counties are Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Kennebec, Penobscot and Washington. In each county, safe homes are available for pets of victims that are going into domestic violence housing. In addition, York County has a very successful program operated by Caring Unlimited and the Animal Welfare Society that has been in operation for many years.
Requests for pet safe homes are accepted from victims going into DV housing. These requests are made directly to the DV agency. If worry about what will happen to the family pet is keeping victims away from DV shelters or safe houses, they should check out these options. For those living in other counties not associated with the Linkage Project, contact your local DV agency to see what arrangements might be made to safely care for pets.
Maine was the first state in the nation to enact legislation that allows pets to be included in Protection from Abuse Orders (PFAs). Following the passage of that legislation, the Linkage Project applied for a grant from the Verizon Foundation. The Verizon Foundation responded by funding training and consultation to animal welfare societies and domestic violence agencies to help develop pet foster home programs. It's important to develop a program that protects everyone involved - from the domestic violence victim and pets to the foster home provider. The Linkage Project also continues to offer consultation to organizations that wish to create a pet foster home program.
