Keeping Pets Safe in Family Crisis

Photo Credit Alberta SPCA

Tim Battle, of Alberta SPCA   was a recent guest on PAWsitive Radio  talking about Pet Safe Keeping.  Tim reported that "a study released by the Alberta SPCA in November 2012 revealed that 59% of pet-owning women in emergency shelters delayed leaving the abusive environment out of concern for their pets. In 36% of the cases, animals were threatened by the abuser – and 85% of those threats were carried out. Interviews with victims show how difficult it can be for women with pets or livestock to leave a violent relationship, and how the animals suffer as an abuser controls the victims by threatening or harming the animals.  In addition, children often witness the animal cruelty – and in half of the situations it’s the child’s own pet that is threatened or harmed."

Many years ago I was the Executive Director of a family crisis society and I heard many stories about how pets were abused in the home, used as control tactics or to emotionally abuse family members by threatening harm to the pet. Prior to this work, I was not aware of this issue. It was reassuring to hear about the Alberta SPCA plans and solutions for addressing this issue.

Photo Credit Alberta SPCA

 
In the interview on PAWsitive Radio, Tim talked about how the Alberta SPCA is working with many other agencies to help and create solutions for both animal and human victims of domestic violence. Tim shared that a major goal of the partnership, which is known as the Alberta Alliance for the Safety of Animals and People (AASAP), is to"provide a province-wide pet safe-keeping network for family violence victims while they are in emergency shelters."  The group includes professionals from many arenas, including: law enforcement, social services, veterinary services, health, animal welfare, women’s shelters, legal education and other communities.

The goal is to begin  a pilot project in the Edmonton region, with the hope that it can expand to the whole province. Alberta SPCA has applied for community funding through Field Law,
http://www.fieldlawcommunityfund.com/ideas/pet-safekeeping-for-domestic-violence-victims/ 

You can get involved in any of these ways:
- Visit the above link and vote for this project
- share the above link in your circles and encourage your contacts to vote
- particiapte in the discussions on social media

To learn more about Team Toby make sure you follow us on these links:



PAWsitive Radio (all things Pets)   http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chammond

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeamToby2

 https://www.facebook.com/TheOriginalTeamToby

 Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/charmainehammond

Benfits of Music Going to the Dogs... literally

Music has always been an important part of my life, and I have noticed how music can also be soothing, relaxing and calming to animals. And it is going to the dogs... literally.. in a great way!

My friend  Justin Hines  is an incredible songwriter, musician and philanthropist, and I am delighted to announce that he is making his way to our province on his upcoming Vehicle of Change Tour  in September. On September 8, Justin will perform in Edmonton, and the concert benefits two incredible organizations Chimo Animal Assisted Therapy   and
The Society for Safe and Caring Schools & Communities 

Justin Hines' music inspired me while I was writing Toby's books...You can see the love in Toby the dog's eyes as he got to hang out with his music hero, Justin Hines.

To find out more about the organizations benefitting from this event visit: www.chimoproject.ca and
www.sacsc.ca   

To order tickets, visit 

 Recently I had the chance to talk about the upcoming event on PAWsitive Radio- All Things Pets!     You can listen to the show and the news about the concert, the organizations and how dogs will be involved with the event at:

Listen To Pets Internet Radio Stations with PAWsitive Radio on BlogTalkRadio

Pet Safekeeping for Domestic Violence Victims

Today's blog is provided by an organization for whom we are champions and appreciate all the incredible work they do....Alberta SPCA.  

A study released by the Alberta SPCA in November 2012 revealed that 59% of pet-owning women in emergency shelters delayed leaving the abusive environment out of concern for their pets. In 36% of the cases, animals were threatened by the abuser – and 85% of those threats were carried out. Interviews with victims show how difficult it can be for women with pets or livestock to leave a violent relationship, and how the animals suffer as an abuser controls the victims by threatening or harming the animals.
 

Photo credit: Alberta SPCA

In addition, children often witness the animal cruelty – and in half of the situations it’s the child’s own pet that is threatened or harmed.

To address this situation, the Alberta SPCA is working with many other agencies to help both animal and human victims of domestic violence. A major goal of the partnership, known as the Alberta Alliance for the Safety of Animals and People (AASAP), is to provide a province-wide pet safe-keeping network for family violence victims while they are in emergency shelters. 

AASAP includes professionals from law enforcement, social services, veterinary services, health, animal welfare, women’s shelters, legal education and other communities.
AASAP wants to start a pilot project in the Edmonton region, with the hope that it can expand to the whole province. 

This will involve hiring a coordinator to take calls from human services professionals and match the pets with a volunteer network of clinics, shelters and foster homes. Working out of the offices of one of the partner agencies, the coordinator will also maintain a database of volunteers and ensure that adequate records are maintained. After a year, the pilot project will be assessed and an expanded program will be designed based on lessons learned; the pilot project is also anticipated to demonstrate the need to prospective funders.

 

Photo credit: Alberta SPCA

This initiative will have direct benefits to numerous individuals in need:

·       Domestic violence victims who would be able to leave violent situations to seek safety for themselves, knowing that their pets will be kept safe and cared for.
·       Children of domestic violence victims who will also be reassured knowing that their pets are safe.
·        Human services professionals – social workers, police, women’s shelter staff – who are often forced to scramble to find accommodations for pets of victims.
·        The animals themselves will be kept safe from abuse and neglect.

To find out more, please visit:   http://www.fieldlawcommunityfund.com/ideas/pet-safekeeping-for-domestic-violence-victims/

Team Toby appreciates the work Alberta SPCA and the AASAP is doing to help individuals and animals in need.  Thank you for sharing your project with us.  Together, we can make a PAWsitive difference!

You can extend your vote for Alberta SPCAs project at:
http://www.fieldlawcommunityfund.com/ideas/pet-safekeeping-for-domestic-violence-victims/