By Gabrielle Martin, News Editor.
What would you do to protect your pet? Would you take it with you during an evacuation? Would you stay in an abusive relationship so your partner doesn’t harm your pet?
According to the American Humane Association, 71 percent of women entering domestic violence shelters state that their abuser either threatened to injure or kill or had injured or killed a family pet in an attempt to establish control or seek revenge.
With 98 percent of pet-owners feeling that pets are part of their family (according to the AHA) it should come as no surprise that 25 to 40 percent of abused women stay in a dangerous situation because they fear for their pet’s safety should they leave.
The Underground Railroad of Saginaw, a women’s shelter, is giving women in these situations a way out with a new program called Paws 4 Hope. While the program had a soft opening in April to ensure that all policies and procedures were in place, the official opening for the program is Oct. 22. Mari Mckenzie, a volunteer and treasurer at the Underground Railroad, explains how the program works.
“We were able to add three kennels and we also have four bedrooms dedicated to pets so that when a woman is in an abusive situation… her children and her pets can come with her.”
Mckenzie adds that there are other significant benefits when it comes to allowing a woman and her children to keep their pets close after being in an abusive relationship.
“If you think about a woman who is dealing with threats and abuse… she is also isolated so that pet is her best friend at that point. And for that reason, that separation creates more anguish so [when you keep] them together, you have that bond,” explains Mckenzie. “I’ve seen statistics where children – after the trauma – they’re quiet and they don’t speak and they’re not dealing with it; whereas, having their pet, sometimes they’re going to be able to just sit down and talk. I’ve also seen statistics where there’s a greater chance of prosecution because [women] don’t fear that retaliation that may occur to the pet.”
Karen Sova, development coordinator for the Underground Railroad, says that only about 12 percent of women’s shelters nationwide allow pets; however, some shelters have foster programs for pets of domestic violence victims.
In order for an animal to enter the shelter, it must first undergo a wellness check and be up to date on its vaccinations. To achieve this, the Underground Railroad has partnered with three local veterinary clinics: Gratiot Animals Clinic, Riverside Animal Clinic and Mid-Michigan Veterinary Hospital. These veterinary clinics will provide services to women entering the shelter free of charge.
For more information about the Underground Railroad, visit www.undergroundrailroadinc.org or call (989) 399-0007.