Groups team up to aid man’s best friend
The Humane Society and VOICe are to be commended for their joint effort to provide asylum for the pets of people escaping an abusive situation.
Cari Ciancio, executive director of the Butler County Humane Society, said her organization its teaming up with VOICe to help victims escape an abusive situation without having to leave their dogs behind.
Those fleeing a bad situation often find their options for finding living spaces at short notice limited. The options shrink further when someone turns up on a doorstep with an animal in tow.
Tracy Veri, executive director of VOICe, a private, nonprofit organization providing services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes, said many people have not left an abusive situation because they didn’t want to leave their animal behind with the abuser.
“What we have noticed is many times, sadly, we’ll have people call us for emergency stats and have animals we are not equipped to handle,” said Veri.
So the two organizations have come together with a solution. Under their arrangement, a person seeking to get away from domestic abuse can leave their pet with a foster home arranged through the humane society, until the person can find permanent housing.
The Humane Society’s Cianco said the pet’s foster home and location will be kept confidential, as will the identity of the victim.
And it’s a good thing for the pets involved too. Veterinarians have long known that dogs can suffer from anxiety. Removal from a home where an animal has been exposed to arguments, fighting — both physical and verbal — and an atmosphere of tension can alone improve an animal’s health.
Ciancio said the humane society is always looking to enlist more foster families. To begin the process of fostering a pet, visit the society’s website at butlercounty.hs.
— EKF
