Public Awareness
OPDV Bulletin:
Animal Respite & Rescue: One DV Program's Experience
All of us have more work than we can get done as domestic violence advocates, and few of us are excited about adding to our workloads. A New Hope Center (ANHC) staff in Tioga County were very happy to officially begin shelter, respite care, adoption and other services for companion animals/pets, and even certain farm animals over five years ago. As a part of comprehensive services to families struggling with the effects of domestic violence, ANHC feels that this program is critically important, and can even make the difference between a battered woman escaping or staying with an abuser rather than leaving a vulnerable animal behind.
Animals are beloved parts of many families, and are often the targets of abuse, either to intimidate and further taunt a victim or to suffer additional abuse just because a batterer feels like hurting the animal. It is common for pets to be threatened or injured by violent partners; up to half of battered women report that pets have been injured, threatened or killed by abusers. (Ascione, Frank R. and Lockwood, Randall, Cruelty to Animals and Interpersonal Violence: Readings in Research and Application, 1998, Purdue University Press.)
It is well known that abuse of animals is a predictor of a person's potential for violence against and even murder of humans. In five out of six of recent school killings, the perpetrators had killed animals before killing their fellow students. There is a strong link between domestic violence and animal abuse. ANHC was one of the first domestic violence programs in the country to begin an animal respite and rescue program.
ANHC has sheltered a large number of dogs and cats (a mother cat and her five adorable kittens are living in the offices right now.... and we helped to whelp them!), and has also taken care of hermit crabs, boa constrictors, iguanas, horses, cows, ferrets, rabbits, fish, parrots and other birds.
The program has been hard but rewarding work. The staff love the animals. Some even participate in fostering the "little furry people" and all have learned a great deal about animal care, veterinary services, required vaccinations, spaying and neutering surgeries, animal nutrition, matching breeds and types of animals with appropriate owners and vice versa. Best of all, they experience the immense and unconditional love and delight that pets can deliver.
For A New Hope Center, building the program involved networking and outreach to develop relationships with animal rescue organizations, SPCA, Humane Societies, Kennel Clubs, Cat Fancier organizations, Bird Clubs, animal stores, breed rescue organizations, BOCES animal care education programs, local and regional animal control officers, town clerks, attorneys, law enforcement, area farmers and generous donors. The ANHC newsletter appeals for donations of items such as feeding bowls, collars, leashes, crates, cages, beds and even animal food.
Some of the services provided for animals and their owners include food, rabies vaccinations, spay/neutering and emergency medical care, in addition to foster and respite care, placing animals folks can no longer keep, and finding new pets when they are ready and able to have them. The pets are housed by ANHC for up to 30 days with no cost to the owners. After that period, the pets are either returned to their owners, placed in outside care (such as BOCES animal care education program), or placed in new homes. ANHC kept some fish who were homeless. Now there is a lovely aquarium in the front office for all to enjoy.
When starting such a program, it is important to have at least one person who is sensitive to and understands animal care, preferably with experience in raising, caring for and advocating for animal welfare. There is much information available through the United States Humane Society. A few good books on this issue are now available. ANHC has consulted with many other domestic violence programs who have recently begun animal respite programs or are contemplating doing so. If you want to know more about A New Hope Center's program, please call them at (607) 687-6887.
