I was just talking to a friend who is a veterinarian. Where she trained they had a program where they took in the pets of people suffering domestic abuse and were in shelters. They kept them there free until the folks could find other housing. "Vets for Pets and People."
The big problem was that these animals had been abused too. And were always around abuse in the home. Pets are acutely aware of emotions. So most were "fear aggressive." Hypervigilant and would snap, bite, snarl even if a vet tried to pet them or handle them in any way. The only touch they knew was a kick to the gut or a bash in the head. Just like what happened to their owners.
And having been a spouse who spent time in these shelters you see the women abusing their children...what a vicious cycle.
Try to imagine all you very fortunate readers that the ONLY time you are touched is with anger. Never a soothing comforting hug, never a warm embrace--just a punching bag for that ill person.
Generation after generation.
The big problem was that these animals had been abused too. And were always around abuse in the home. Pets are acutely aware of emotions. So most were "fear aggressive." Hypervigilant and would snap, bite, snarl even if a vet tried to pet them or handle them in any way. The only touch they knew was a kick to the gut or a bash in the head. Just like what happened to their owners.
And having been a spouse who spent time in these shelters you see the women abusing their children...what a vicious cycle.
Try to imagine all you very fortunate readers that the ONLY time you are touched is with anger. Never a soothing comforting hug, never a warm embrace--just a punching bag for that ill person.
Generation after generation.
8
I needed to add that this program "Vets for Pets and People" is a "student-led and faculty-supported volunteer outreach project from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine was recently recognized for its efforts to heighten awareness about the link between animal abuse and domestic violence, and to provide help for victims who own companion animals."
"Vets for Pets and People" was named "Advocate of the Year" by the Domestic Violence Task Force of Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties.
http://www.uga.edu/about_uga/profile/vets-for-pets-and-people/#sthash.ug...
They also have a Facebook page. Think of working with your veterinary school to do the same thing.
I know that it is easier to write a comment than to do something...but if you can save ONE abused person and their pet....well YOU have changed the world for the better!
"Vets for Pets and People" was named "Advocate of the Year" by the Domestic Violence Task Force of Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties.
http://www.uga.edu/about_uga/profile/vets-for-pets-and-people/#sthash.ug...
They also have a Facebook page. Think of working with your veterinary school to do the same thing.
I know that it is easier to write a comment than to do something...but if you can save ONE abused person and their pet....well YOU have changed the world for the better!
4
I stayed in a domestic abusive relationship as I could find NO place to rent that would accept my Springer Spaniel. My husband had NO interest in caring for the dog...wouldn't even put water in his dish when I worked a 24 hour shift in the ER.
Finally after suffering a fractured jaw and ANOTHER severe concussion, I was forced to give my very best friend away to the shelter. I sobbed when they took Wilbur away but the shelter said they had a year waiting list of people wanting any kind of spaniel or retriever.
My next dog was a service dog for my seizures from traumatic brain injury. I couldn't work so again had to return to this abuser. I was living in Hawaii, had no family, and rentals refused to allow dogs--pit bulls are the most prevalent dog breed on the islands. While my service dog was an English Cocker Spaniel, I still couldn't find anyplace.
Let me tell you how important my service dog, my buddy was to me. I left my home in Hawai'i and bought a trailer in a Southern State as this was all I could afford. But my buddy, my Sammy was the ONLY entity who had never hurt me...never yelled at me, never cursed in my life--just that perpetually wagging tail always at my side 24/7.
I left my abuser 5,000 miles away, but I would NOT be alive if it weren't for my Sammy dog. He gave me a reason to go on, to live.
I KNOW what these folks are going through! That pet is everything to them. The only part of their lives that never hurt them, that provided solace and love.
Finally after suffering a fractured jaw and ANOTHER severe concussion, I was forced to give my very best friend away to the shelter. I sobbed when they took Wilbur away but the shelter said they had a year waiting list of people wanting any kind of spaniel or retriever.
My next dog was a service dog for my seizures from traumatic brain injury. I couldn't work so again had to return to this abuser. I was living in Hawaii, had no family, and rentals refused to allow dogs--pit bulls are the most prevalent dog breed on the islands. While my service dog was an English Cocker Spaniel, I still couldn't find anyplace.
Let me tell you how important my service dog, my buddy was to me. I left my home in Hawai'i and bought a trailer in a Southern State as this was all I could afford. But my buddy, my Sammy was the ONLY entity who had never hurt me...never yelled at me, never cursed in my life--just that perpetually wagging tail always at my side 24/7.
I left my abuser 5,000 miles away, but I would NOT be alive if it weren't for my Sammy dog. He gave me a reason to go on, to live.
I KNOW what these folks are going through! That pet is everything to them. The only part of their lives that never hurt them, that provided solace and love.
18
Are you not allowed to live in no pet housing because your dog is a service dog? To my knowledge, service animals are allowed in no pet buildings.
This excellent article finally shows the giant crevass that people who face homelessness who own pets are unable to bridge. SO MANY Landlords and shelters flat out refuse to take pets; even service animals. Speaking from direct experience I have literally faced staying with an abuser, who refused to leave, me and my dogs had no where else to go. Now, years later, I have a service dog and am SO incredibly thankful to the apartment where I live for taking us in.
The general public without animals does not understand; these are not pets, this is our FAMILY. How does a person abandon their FAMILY?
I hope and pray animal organizations will start to educate homeless shelters and landlords will soften their hearts. Not wanting to ruffle any feathers, but my dog is FAR cleaner than children. And he does little to no damage to the property.
Years ago, I literally had a nervous breakdown after my dog died and the landlady also tossed my cat out in February snow and cold, and then went back on her word and the lease, and refused to let me get another pet. Let's see. Nervous breakdown vs. Get another pet? The choice seems simple to me.
Please Landlords and Shelters: Have a HEART!
Allow pets. People who have pets are compassionate and caring and deserve shelter TOO!
Thank you for this article. I'm so happy for Ms. H and Midnight. God bless!
The general public without animals does not understand; these are not pets, this is our FAMILY. How does a person abandon their FAMILY?
I hope and pray animal organizations will start to educate homeless shelters and landlords will soften their hearts. Not wanting to ruffle any feathers, but my dog is FAR cleaner than children. And he does little to no damage to the property.
Years ago, I literally had a nervous breakdown after my dog died and the landlady also tossed my cat out in February snow and cold, and then went back on her word and the lease, and refused to let me get another pet. Let's see. Nervous breakdown vs. Get another pet? The choice seems simple to me.
Please Landlords and Shelters: Have a HEART!
Allow pets. People who have pets are compassionate and caring and deserve shelter TOO!
Thank you for this article. I'm so happy for Ms. H and Midnight. God bless!
10
It is like the park. Because a minority refuse to pick up, many beaches and parks, do not allow dogs. Because of one bad rental experience, landlords refuse to allow pets. Most people are willing to pay a higher deposit, or agree to have carpets cleaned or replaced.
This is an important cause to which many people would donate money to. I hope it is being adequately publicized. This article should be a help. The animal rescue organizations should be involved in this.
10
Thanks for writing about this, Mr. Newman. If there is a way one can provide financial support to these pet-friendly shelters, would you please post information about it here? Thank you.
7
A Reader -
You can donate to the nonprofit that runs these shelters, Urban Resource Institute, via their website:
http://urinyc.org/get-involved/donations
Also, there is a national animal-welfare group, Red Rover, that gives grants to help domestic-violence shelters set up programs like this. You can donate to them too:
https://my.redrover.org/checkout/donation?eid=54538
You can donate to the nonprofit that runs these shelters, Urban Resource Institute, via their website:
http://urinyc.org/get-involved/donations
Also, there is a national animal-welfare group, Red Rover, that gives grants to help domestic-violence shelters set up programs like this. You can donate to them too:
https://my.redrover.org/checkout/donation?eid=54538
3
18 years ago I left my violent, abusive, delusional husband, who had repeatedly attacked me, after he started attacking our little three-year old daughter. I took my daughter, of course, but had to leave my two dogs behind. I was terrified for their safety, but I was staying with a friend and she had no room for animals, and I couldn't afford kennel care. When my husband was at work, I would go back to the house to check on the dogs, always in the basement with the lights off. Finally I was able to move to an apartment where I could bring the dogs, but my lawyer was worried that if I just took the dogs, they would become a bargaining tool in the custody fight. "Luckily" I discovered that one had a stick stuck in its mouth that had infected the entire mouth (my husband had not noticed). At that point, on the advice of my lawyers, I took the dog to a vet and told my husband that I was keeping the dog so that I could administer needed medication. A month later, the other dog developed a terribly infected ear, and I was able to take that dog to the vet also and then take it back to my apartment to give it its medication. In the end I got to keep my dogs (I received sole custody of my child too). But those early months were so nerve-wracking for me: in the middle of a custody fight and living in temporary housing, to have to worry that some terrible harm would come to my beloved dogs. Bravo to shelters who can protect and save pets as well as people.
37
I'm glad this is finally being addressed. I've been trying to get shelter from my home for over two years, its even worse if you are disabled and have a service animal. Theres no place for you.
27
Find a lawyer who works with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). According to federal guidelines a service dog is NOT a pet. According to "Guidelines for Businesses regarding service dogs" a service dog can go ANYWHERE the public can go.
http://www.ada.gov/archive/qasrvc.htm
I have been working with returned Iraqi and Afghanistan vets with PTSD and TBI. Emotional Support and service dogs both follow the ADA guidelines. The old rules of landlords not allowing pets is being overruled with getting these vets the housing that EVERYONE needs. Safety, secure housing, and food. In the richest country in the world we still don't get it.
Latest stat from Davos and Oxfam: The 85 wealthiest people in the world have the accumulated wealth of the bottom 3.6 BILLION ppl in the world.
When I worked with this program in Hawaii at the Tripler Army Medical Center VA clinic, we found dogs for every vet with psych and physical problems. These included vets from Vietnam who are STILL struggling. Shelters weren't accepting "pets" in Hawai'i. Vets would rather be homeless than lose these dogs. Homeless vets include women vets and their kids.
And for the commenters who say that "other" people would be compromised? I say that Americans need to get over themselves! In France people took their dogs everywhere..no problem. We are clean geeks.
http://www.ada.gov/archive/qasrvc.htm
I have been working with returned Iraqi and Afghanistan vets with PTSD and TBI. Emotional Support and service dogs both follow the ADA guidelines. The old rules of landlords not allowing pets is being overruled with getting these vets the housing that EVERYONE needs. Safety, secure housing, and food. In the richest country in the world we still don't get it.
Latest stat from Davos and Oxfam: The 85 wealthiest people in the world have the accumulated wealth of the bottom 3.6 BILLION ppl in the world.
When I worked with this program in Hawaii at the Tripler Army Medical Center VA clinic, we found dogs for every vet with psych and physical problems. These included vets from Vietnam who are STILL struggling. Shelters weren't accepting "pets" in Hawai'i. Vets would rather be homeless than lose these dogs. Homeless vets include women vets and their kids.
And for the commenters who say that "other" people would be compromised? I say that Americans need to get over themselves! In France people took their dogs everywhere..no problem. We are clean geeks.
6
Love this!!
Thank you for this wonderful idea and hope the pets and the victims are doing well.
Thank you for this wonderful idea and hope the pets and the victims are doing well.
22
I agree janelleem8!
2
I believe there is an agreement with our local homeless shelter with our local humane society. Small community.
6
wish you had a way to include an address to which to send donations...I know given the circumstances, that can be tricky, but what a wonderful thing!
35
1
Yes if there is some where I could contribute to these shelters & apts for developing more of them I would do it on a monthly basis. I'm fine & im almost 70 years old & have never lived without a pet. They are family & some times the Best part
3
pete -
You can donate to the nonprofit that runs these shelters, Urban Resource Institute, via their website:
http://urinyc.org/get-involved/donations
Also, there is a national animal-welfare group, Red Rover, that gives grants to help domestic-violence shelters set up programs like this. You can donate to them too:
https://my.redrover.org/checkout/donation?eid=54538
You can donate to the nonprofit that runs these shelters, Urban Resource Institute, via their website:
http://urinyc.org/get-involved/donations
Also, there is a national animal-welfare group, Red Rover, that gives grants to help domestic-violence shelters set up programs like this. You can donate to them too:
https://my.redrover.org/checkout/donation?eid=54538
1
I dunno. Having a pet is a great comfort. But when a few are accommodated and most are not, that creates a privilege for a small number while it may cause distress for the great majority. Moreover, some may stay in the abusive environment hoping to get a place where pets are allowed. It's not clear who wins this lottery. But there doesn't seem to be any effort to accommodate those with the greatest need.
5
So what should be done. Nothing, until every shelter can accommodate pets? That's preposterous. It's a small step in the right direction and I'll chalk it up as a win.
32
What are you even talking about? What distress does it cause on your so-called "great majority"? And what do pets have to do with not accommodating those with the greatest need? As even you admit, pets are a great comfort, sometimes the only comfort a distraught, scared and destitute person has. And accommodating all, with pet or no, should not even be a question in the drive to help people.
13
Touche! You've got to start somewhere...
2
Such a vicious cycle of jealousy, animal or human.
Enlightening to know their is a chance where some sort of civility can be returned, animal or human.
Enlightening to know their is a chance where some sort of civility can be returned, animal or human.
18
Other shelters and other cities need to follow this humane example.
42
Great article! People do not realize how important a pet is to a person who has suffered from abuse. I wish more shelters would permit the pet to accompany the abused person. It is good to know that there are places that permit the pets to stay, but the need is there for ALL shelters to let the pets in.
54
My family was abusive. My father was a WWII POW, and was supposed to be fine once he returned home. He self medicated with whiskey. As is the norm in alcoholic families, as the eldest child, most of the rage was directed at me, and my mother and younger sister followed suit to deflect attention from themselves. I have always had a dog once I was on my own. My mother constantly criticizes my dogs, and even when I tell her they do not yell at me, berate, me, beat me, or tell me I'm a worthless loser, she still doesn't understand. My dogs have been rescues, and, I believe we rescue each other.
Something few people know.... Last year, we met a therapy dog during a hospital stay, and learned that when the dog becomes ill or older, and a younger dog is needed, the older dog is now a pet, and not allowed to remain in a no pet living space. An animal's life of service is rewarded with homelessness. Se. Bucco proposed in NJ, that the dog retain the title "Service Animal" for life. An owner would then be allowed to keep the dog, if they wished, but could surrender the dog to the organization that provided it if unable to afford or care for two dogs. No one else would support it.