People shouldn’t have to choose between personal safety and their pets. Too often, domestic violence survivors are unable or unwilling to seek help for fear of leaving their pets behind, but resources are available. AWI developed and launched Safe Havens for Pets in 2011, a national database of “safe havens”—sheltering services that help individuals who are experiencing domestic violence place beloved companion animals out of harm's way so that they may seek safety for themselves. Today, the Safe Havens for Pets database includes over 1,000 entities available to assist survivors and their pets. Safe havens operate differently from community to community. Some rely on networks of foster care homes. Others use the additional kennel space of a local humane society or veterinarian. In some cases, domestic violence shelters house victims and pets together. This #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth, learn more about AWI’s Safe Havens for Pets project by visiting its dedicated website at safehavensforpets.org.
