Leadership and Change

Problem: Many women who are victims of domestic violence and have pets do not have a place to seek shelter because the shelters do not allow pets. A victim of domestic violence who has pets has an extremely difficult time leaving their pets behind in the home with the perpetrator. Often times the victims stay in the dangerous environment because they cannot bring their pets with them. If we can find shelters that can care for the pets of owners who are in a domestic violence situation, then we feel there is a chance for women to free themselves from their abusive environment. At least this will give women a chance to escape without the feelings of guilt for having to leave their pets behind. When guilt is eliminated from the victim’s mind and heart, what is left is the freedom to leave without the worries over their pets.

Opportunity: We have an opportunity to research and find shelters and animal rescue organizations that are willing to be foster homes for pets while the victim is seeking shelter for herself. Once we find the shelters then we will be able to bring about awareness to domestic violence shelters, and to the many victims of domestic violence.

What To Do: We need to identify temporary animal shelter resources. We will most likely focus on the city of Minneapolis as a pilot study. This study will be carried out in collaboration with Link Coalition of Minnesota (LCM).

Stakeholders: Law enforcement agencies, victims of domestic violence, women’s shelters, animal shelters and animal welfare advocacy organizations.

Time Frame: We have two months to accomplish our goal which is to “jump start” the efforts of LCM.

Area of Study: Identify animal shelters, animal rescue organizations, and veterinary clinics that either have in place at this time formal or informal relationships with domestic violence shelters, or would be willing to be involved as emergency animal shelters in the future.