The original guide was written by Allie Phillips, J.D., director of public policy for American Humane Association. This is an abridged version. A full text document can be obtained by contacting the link below. Buddy feels strongly about helping pets be safe who are not as fortunate as he is, so we continue to inform you on ways to improve our community for animals.
If you are interested in starting a PAWS Program at your shelter, contact American Humane’s Office of Public Policy at
(703) 836-PETS (7387) or email PAWSprogram@americanhumane.org to receive free guidance and technical assistance.
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: (1) to remain in their homes and subject themselves, their children and their pets to continued violence, or (2) 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.
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.
This Startup Guide provides simple, how-to methods for starting a PAWS Program at a domestic violence shelter.
American Humane Research studies have clearly documented that when there is one form of violence in the home, everyone in the home is at risk. Domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse and animal cruelty may co-exist in violent homes, and all of these forms of violence are at national epidemic levels. The Link between animal cruelty and human violence is an internationally recognized fact .Each year; defenseless pets are victims of family violence. Not only are these pets in harm’s way, but they may become helpless pawns in the power and control mechanisms abusers use to hurt their victims. Abusers use the killing, torturing and beating of pets — or the threat of such actions — as a weapon to ensure submission and silence by their victims.
In fact, the American Psychiatric Association considers animal cruelty one of the earliest signs and an important diagnostic criterion of conduct disorder .Children that grow up in an environment of animal cruelty live in constant fear that a beloved family member will be harmed. Children often intervene to protect their family members and pets from being battered. Some children may even allow themselves to be victimized to save their pets from being harmed or killed .Over time; these children may become desensitized to the inhumane treatment of animals and people. In recent years, increased awareness of the link has resulted in many states enacting laws, and local agencies establishing policies, that coordinate domestic violence and animal protection efforts.
American Humane Pets and Women’s Shelters (PAWS)™ Pilot Program
A PAWS Program enables more domestic violence victims to leave abusive households without leaving their pets behind and at risk. It also enables the comfort and reassurance that a family pet can provide to adult and child victims during stressful times. Emotional Need The human-animal bond is critical during times of stress and trauma. Studies reported by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association show the importance of pets in American households, as indicated by the following statistics on pet owners:
84 percent acquired their pet mainly for companionship.
83 percent refer to themselves as their pet’s “mom” or “dad.”
59 percent celebrate their pet’s birthday.
90 percent would not consider dating someone who was not fond of their pet.
52 percent believe their pet listens to them best.
69 percent let their pet break household rules (such as allowing their pet on the bed) when their spouse or significant other is not present.
93 percent are likely to risk their own life for their pet.
55 percent have an emergency preparedness plan for their pet in case of a disaster.
36 percent have named a guardian for their pet.
Studies have shown that there are significant similarities between the emotional closeness shared between people and their pets and that shared by people and their closest family members. In one study, one-third of pet owners responded that they felt closer to their dogs than to other family members.
Other research studies show that pets support the physical and mental health of individuals, particularly during stressful
times. Pet ownership provides the owners with cardiovascular and other health benefits, such as: (1) lowering blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol; (2) achieving a higher survival rate after myocardial infarction, with pet owners 8.6 times more likely to be alive one year after the heart attack; (3) lowering stress; (4) improving weight control; (5) experiencing fewer minor health problems; (6) making fewer visits to a doctor; and (7) requiring less medication.
The benefits to mental health have been addressed in relation to childhood development and elderly citizens. For children, studies have shown that pets: (1) benefit childhood development by providing a sense of security and self-esteem to children; (2) allow children to develop trust due to constancy, security, reliability, love and affection; (3) facilitate play, exploration and independence; (4) promote responsibility and nurturing; (5) provide social and emotional support; and (6) provide a positive impact on the lonely, emotionally or physically impaired, and delinquent. For elderly citizens, studies have shown that pets fill a void for lost relationships and can transcend sensory deficits, mental changes and mobility restrictions that can impede human-human relationships.
The goal of encouraging PAWS Programs across the country is to enhance the safety of as many victims, children and pets as possible by helping them more easily leave abusive homes. Some shelters are reluctant to allow on-site housing of pets because they fear the process is complicated and costly. Acknowledging that shelter resources are often strained, this manual is intended to alleviate that fear and plainly demonstrate the simplicity of establishing a PAWS Program.
Types of Pets
First decide what types, sizes and number of pets can be accommodated safely on-site, since that decision will determine the types of accommodations required. For animals that cannot be accommodated in the on-site PAWS Program, your shelter should establish a relationship with a local animal shelter or rescue group to provide temporary housing.
Location
After deciding the types, sizes and number of pets your shelter will accommodate on-site, you must decide how to accommodate them. We recommend three methods for housing pets on-site:
Option 1: Locate a separate room within the shelter that can safely house the animals in separate cages or crates.
Option 2: Allow residents to house smaller, non-allergenic pets within their rooms and have the residents be responsible for their own pets’ care.
Option 3: Provide secure and sheltered housing directly on the shelter property. Sheltered chain-link kennels or a small
building or shed on the shelter property can accommodate larger animals. Heating and cooling options must be considered when housing pets outside.
Safety and Security
Your shelter should take into consideration the safety of its residents who may have to walk, exercise or otherwise leave the property with their pets.
Noise
When housing pets on-site at a shelter, whether inside or outside, there are bound to be instances of barking, meowing, chirping or other natural noises.
Allergies
Pet-related allergies are common, and you should anticipate that residents will have allergies to a variety of pets. The shelter intake form should ask every resident to identify any pet allergies they have. Be sure to have a separate heating/cooling/ventilation system so that pet hair and dander do not enter the main residential ventilation system.
Excess Animals
There may be times when a resident has more pets than can be safely housed on-site, or your shelter is at maximum pet capacity and cannot accommodate new arrivals. In these situations, it is best to work with the resident to determine which pets
would do best in off-site housing at a local animal shelter or in foster care with a rescue organization, and which pets need to stay on-site with the resident due to fright or attachment issues.
Providing Care for the Pets
We recommend that residents provide the day-to-day care for their own pets. They know their pets and can provide greater comfort and stability to confused or stressed pets during the transition to a new home.
Veterinary Care and Records
Your shelter’s PAWS Program should establish a relationship with a licensed veterinarian to help establish and maintain the program, to serve as a resource for consulting, and to provide routine and emergency medical care to any pets housed on-site. The veterinarian may provide some of the services pro bono or at low cost.
Abused, Aggressive or Stressed Pets
Any pet arriving at a PAWS Program shelter may be under stress from living in an abusive home. Moving the pet out of its abusive environment is certainly beneficial, but can cause the animal some initial stress. In addition, some pets may be conditioned to behave more aggressively based on an abusive partner’s cruel treatment or the home environment. When taking in pets, your shelter should ask the residents to provide detailed information regarding all of their pets, including behavior, temperament and how the pets may react to being at the shelter. This information will be helpful in determining whether a pet will be better cared for at a partner animal shelter or rescue organization, where the staff is trained to handle stressed and/or aggressive pets and can work to calm the pet. If a pet is checked into the PAWS Program and subsequently is determined to be too stressed or upset for safe handling, then a transfer to a partner animal shelter may be in the best interests of the pet.
Duration and Cost of Housing Pets
We encourage shelters to provide on-site housing of pets at no cost to residents. Assisting families in transitioning to pet-friendly housing will help them keep their pets with them after leaving the shelter. Situations in which families leave your shelter but request that their pets remain behind should be handled on a case-by-case basis, since numerous factors may be involved. Generally, extended care should be provided only in situations where families have moved to temporary housing that does not allow pets, while the families receive assistance in finding pet-friendly housing.
Counseling Involving Pets
Shelter staff may encounter residents who have witnessed animals being abused, tortured or killed by an abusive partner or other party. Witnessing such acts against helpless animals can cause significant trauma and psychological damage to both adults and children. Even residents who were able to rescue their pets from abusive homes may have residual issues from having witnessed past abuse. This is especially true for children. We recommend that a trained pet bereavement counselor be available to provide support for families as necessary. Any counseling services provided to residents should incorporate sensitivity to the human-animal bond.
Fundraising resources
Other sources of support include community foundations and donors who care about women’s issues, child abuse and domestic violence prevention.
Custody and Ownership Issues
A frequent concern of shelter staff and residents involves the true ownership or custody of a family pet. This issue should only arise when the abusive partner demands the return of the pet, and this would only occur if the location of the resident and pet has been disclosed to the abusive partner, or if the abusive partner makes a demand in court. Some initial separation orders prohibit the parties from moving any family members or assets (which could include children and pets) until final settlement. Ask the shelter resident to bring any evidence of pet ownership and care when entering the shelter.
The author thanks the following individuals and organizations for giving their time and expertise to the development of this manual: Phil Arkow, American Humane’s interim director for human-animal bond programs; Frank Ascione, professor of psychology at Utah State University and adjunct advisor to American Humane on The Link® between violence to people and animals; Tracy Coppola, legislative analyst for American Humane; Katenna Jones, humane educator for American Humane; Debrah Schnackenberg, American Humane’s interim vice president of Animal Protection Services; Elaine Wood, American Humane’s program manager, shelter services; Doorways for Women and Families shelter in Arlington, Va.; the Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples, Fla.; and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Thanks for reading my column. I did not put photos this month so it would be easier to copy and share this column. This is a short version but contains valuable information. If we can save one pet that is a win for our side. One pet at a time. Woof, woof, sniff, sniff.
