In their lifetimes, approximately one in four women will be victims of domestic violence. Given that more than 71 million U.S. households include companion animals as pets, it is inevitable that many of those households will experience both domestic violence and animal abuse. In fact, in a study of intentional animal abuse cases, 13 percent involved incidents of domestic violence, 7 percent co-existed with child abuse and 1 percent involved elder abuse.

When domestic violence victims with pets consider fleeing abusive homes and there is no safe place to house their pets, they have little choice but to remain in their homes and subject themselves, their children and their pets to continued violence, or to flee and leave their pets behind.

Because victims understand the extent of the harm that their abusers will likely inflict upon their pets, if left behind, many victims remain in violent relationships. Currently, numerous programs provide procedures for housing family pets off-site at animal shelters or with animal rescue groups, and many shelters are following such a plan. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s 2004 National Directory of Domestic Violence Programs, more than 700 shelters across the country provide assistance or referrals for placement of pets; however, at the start of the PAWS Program in February 2008, American Humane was aware of only four shelters that actually provide on-site housing for pets.

If you have a problem relocating your pet, call us at (877) 432-6004 or visit us at www.TheVelvetSnoot.com and we will help relocate your pet to a rescue group or animal shelter.

Maintaining the Human-Animal Bond in Times of Crisis

Recognizing both the urgent need to protect domestic violence victims from further abuse and the comfort that pets provide people, especially in times of stress and trauma, American Humane is leading a national program to guide domestic and family violence emergency housing shelters toward permitting residents to bring their pets with them. American Humane’s Pets and Women’s Shelters (PAWS)® Program acknowledges the richness of the bond between people and their pets, which often provide unconditional love and comfort to adult domestic violence victims and their children. For that reason — as well as for the safety of the pets — American Humane strongly advocates keeping domestic violence victims and their pets together whenever possible.

The PAWS Program Startup Guide, written by Allie Phillips, J.D., vice president of public policy for American Humane, provides simple, how-to methods for starting a PAWS Program at a domestic violence shelter.

American Humane envisions a day when no family members, including pets, will be harmed. Until that day comes, implementing a PAWS Program in every domestic violence shelter throughout the United States will help keep people and their pets safe.

If you are in an abusive relationship and need help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

MORE INFORMATION Domestic and family violence shelters that house pets on-site Download the PAWS Program Startup Guide Download the forms and Animal Handling and Safety Tips from the PAWS Program Startup Guide (Word files) Watch American Humane’s Allie Phillips discuss the PAWS Program on NBC’s The Today Show Listen to American Humane’s Allie Phillips discuss the PAWS Program on Steve Dale’s Pet World radio show (MP3) Read the news release about the program Read the Washington Post article about PAWS For more information, email us.

October 2009
	There are 2,500 domestic violence shelters in the U.S. Only 33 of them allow pets. Imagine for a moment that you live in a violent household. Every day is a struggle to avoid igniting a fit of rage in your partner. Everyone you know keeps telling you to leave. Deep down, you know that they’re right. But there’s someone else you need to consider. You have a pet…a devoted friend who has stuck by you and given you comfort when you felt completely alone in the world. The problem? None of the domestic violence shelters near you will shelter your pet during your stay. And you know that if you leave your pet behind, your partner will hurt or even kill him to get back at you. If you think this scenario sounds far-fetched, think again. According to a 2007 review of a dozen research studies, up to 48 percent of women in abusive relationships had concerns about the safety of their pets — concerns that affected whether they stayed in abusive homes. The thousands of pets and women trapped in violent homes need a better option. American Humane has one. Through our Pets and Women’s Shelters (PAWS)® Program we work with domestic violence shelters to build facilities and implement procedures for allowing pets on-site. That way, women don’t have to make the terrible choice between their own safety and the safety of the pets they love. However, we need your help! Just over 1 percent of all domestic violence shelters offer housing for pets. Requests from shelters seeking to become pet-friendly are pouring into our office every week, but we don’t have the resources to fund them all. Please donate what you can to ensure that more abused women and pets stay together! If you are in an abusive relationship and need help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.		Donate now to help abused women and the pets they love!