pets and domestic violence

Did you know that a large majority of victims of domestic violence hesitate to leave their situation out of concern for their pets?  There is a strong link between domestic violence and animal abuse, and offenders of domestic violence typically abuse all members of the household, including pets. Since many shelters do not accept pets, it can be a gut-wrenching decision for victims to leave their pets behind with their abuser. 

Pets and Domestic Violence

the impact of pets in domestic violence situations

Since the link between animal abuse and domestic violence is so strong, it is likely that a perpetrator of domestic violence will also abuse the animals in the home. According to animal advocacy group RedRover, most animal abuse occurs in the presence of human victims in the home in order to psychologically control or coerce them. Threats against household pets can be powerful in controlling victims and keeping them quiet about the abusive situation. 

In a violent home, pets may suffer injuries, health problems, permanent disabilities, or may disappear from the home entirely or be killed.

Here are some interesting statistics from the American Humane Association:

• 71% of pet-owning women entering women's shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims.

• 68% of battered women reported violence toward their animals. 87% of these incidents occurred in the presence of the women and 75% in the presence of the children.

• 13% of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence.

• Between 25% and 40% of battered women are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets should they leave.

• For many battered women, pets are sources of comfort, providing strong emotional support: 98% of Americans consider pets to be companions or members of the family.

• A child growing up in the U.S. is more likely to have a pet than a live-at-home-father. 

• Battered women have been known to live in their cars with their pets for as long as four months until an opening was available at a pet-friendly safe house.

the link between domestic violence and animal abuse

According to the ASPCA, and other resources, there is a strong link between domestic violence and animal abuse. In fact, a history of pet abuse is one of the top four indicators of risk for being a perpetrator of domestic violence. Those who abuse animals are typically more dangerous, violent and controlling than those who do not. Since so many women (though men can also be victims of domestic violence, it is most often women and children who are at risk) delay leaving an abusive situation out of concern for the pets in the household, it is vitally important that we provide resources for families with pets. 

In addition, the ASPCA cites other shocking facts about animal abuse and domestic violence. Children exposed to domestic violence are three times more likely to be cruel to animals, which seems to perpetuate the cycle of abuse. Interestingly, the Chicago Police Department found that 30% of people arrested for animal abuse had domestic violence charges already on record.

why do abusers batter animals?

According to the ASPCA, there are several reasons abusers batter animals:

• to demonstrate power and control over the family

• to isolate the victim and children

• to enforce submission

• to perpetuate an environment of fear

• to prevent the victim from leaving or coerce her to return

• to punish for leaving or showing independence

what can you do?

What got me thinking about all of this? I was listening to The Mathew Blades Morning Show here in Phoenix the other day, and I heard him talking about his support of the Sojourner Center. He announced that he will be the emcee of their upcoming 14th Annual Hope Luncheon on October 29th. 

Blades spoke about how the Sojourner Center supports women with pets by allowing them to stay together. The victims of domestic violence can bring their pets with them to the shelter, which can provide safety for the pets and comfort and peace of mind to the women and children seeking refuge from their abusive situation. 

You can attend the luncheon, volunteer with the Sojourner Center or donate to the organization. 

resources & help

The Sojourner Center

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

RedRover–bringing animals from crisis to care

Safe Place for Pets–a RedRover project with the National Link Coalition and Sheltering Animals and Families Together

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please seek help.

chipotle is out of carnitas for good reason: blog the change for animals #foodwithintegrity

I must preface this article with full disclosure: I'm a bit biased as far as Chipotle goes. My husband works for the company, and I am a huge supporter of theirs for that and many other reasons. So my husband let me know that some Chipotle stores would soon run out of carnitas, and we had a conversation about it at home. 

"Well, some of us are going to run out of carnitas this week," he announced. "It's a big deal." 

"Really?" I asked. "Can't you just order more?"

"Nope."

Big went on to explain that they had to suspend one of their pork suppliers because they were no longer treating their pigs humanely. Chipotle's tag line is "Food With Integrity," and they mean it. The supplier in question was violating Chipotle's standards, something they learned this past Friday. About one third of Chipotle's stores are affected, and they aren't sure how long they'll be without. Most of the violations of Chipotle's standards are related to the housing of the pigs. Chipotle requires its suppliers to raise the animals they use humanely, and, in particular, the pigs must be raised outside of cramped pens with access to the outdoors. Most of the pork used for food in this country is not raised this way, but instead of lowering their standards, Chipotle made the bold and brave decision to act with integrity as they advertise. 

In the past, Chipotle has occasionally notified their customers through signage that they may be serving beef that does not meet their "responsibly raised" standards. The company periodically has a difficult time obtaining large supplies of beef that are raised free of artificial hormones or antibiotics. The great thing is that they let their customers know when they have to substitute "conventionally raised" beef. Pretty amazing when you think about how often we dine in restaurants and have no idea where our meat or other food is coming from. 

Image source: chipotle.com

In the case of carnitas, Chipotle has refused to make a substitution. Candice Choi of the Associated press relayed that "Paul Shapiro, vice president of farm animal protection for The Humane Society of the United States, said that most breeding pigs in the country are kept in gestation crates with concrete floors. Pigs that are raised with access to the outdoors or bedding represent a 'very small portion of the pork industry.'"

So what's behind Chipotle's philosophy of providing "Food With Integrity?" It's something our family is very proud to be a part of. Their web site states that "Food With Integrity is our commitment to finding the very best ingredients raised with respect for the animals, the environment and the farmers." And if you want the inside uncensored scoop? It's TRUE. 100%. I have the privilege of knowing through my husband and his colleagues just how high Chipotle's standards are. Chipotle elaborates:

It means serving the very best sustainable raised food possible with an eye to great nutrition and great value.

It means that we support and sustain family farmers who respect the land and the animals in their care.

It means that whenever possible we use meat from animals raised without the use of antibiotics or added hormones. 

And it means that we source organic and local produce when practical. And that we use dairy from cows raised without the use of synthetic hormones. 

Food With Integrity is a journey that started more than a decade ago and one that will never end.

So what does "naturally raised" mean, when it comes to pigs and other animals? Chipotle provides a clear definition: "naturally raised animals are raised in a humane way, fed a vegetarian diet, never given hormones, and are allowed to display their natural tendencies." Since 2001, Chipotle has sourced all of their pork from producers who follow these guidelines.

And the "conventionally raised" pork that is the standard of the food industry? What's that all about? Chipotle explains:

Many pigs are raised on factory farms and kept in small pens that do not allow for freedom of movement, limiting their ability to express natural behaviors. These pigs are given large amounts of sub therapeutic antibiotics to keep them from getting sick and enhance growth. According the the Union of Concerned Scientists, American pork producers use over 10 million pounds of antibiotics per year to keep their confinement-raised pigs from getting sick. That's more than three times the estimated amount used to treat all human illness.

WHAT?!?

Yes, you heard that correctly. 

In summary, know where your food comes from. If you eat meat, know how the animals you are consuming have lived. And aspire to have the kind of integrity in your choices that Chipotle does.

To learn why naturally raised pork is so important to Chipotle and why I have a crush on founder, Steve Ells (my husband is okay with it), please click here and check out "STEVE SHARES." 

And please watch this video. I've seen it more times than I know, and it still makes me cry every time.

Related:

the lesson in chipotle's "the scarecrow"

i am not a prejudiced pet sitter: Blog the Change for Animals

As a professional pet sitter, I can't tell you how many times people say the following things the first time I speak to them on the phone: "Do you take care of big dogs? I hope you don't charge extra."

"Sweetie is a Rottweiler, but she's really nice...she's never bitten anyone...she loves kids...you'll love her..."

"He's a Chihuahua, so he's little. So you don't charge as much, right?"

"She's a Golden Retriever. She's a lover, and she'll be super easy."

And my all-time favorite "Do you sit for Pit Bulls?"

I always provide the same answer: "I don't discriminate based on size or breed. Every dog deserves the same amount of attention and love. I won't take care of a dog that shows hostility toward me, regardless of the breed or size, and I take wonderful care of all animals that will let me, regardless of the breed or size. There is no difference in price."

Sure, Goliath's poop is HUGE, but that's not his fault. I'll pick up his, and I'll pick up Chi-chi's, just the same.

I have slept in bed with many a Pit Bull's tongue in my face (in a good way) and I've been barked out of town by a Golden Retriever. I have learned through experience not to prejudge the animal. I greet each animal with the energy that is appropriate for the energy he shows me, whether that be positive or negative, big or small. Just like people, dogs are individuals and deserve the right to shine (or not).

So let's judge them, but let's judge them fairly after getting to know them. Just as most of us refuse to judge our human friends by their color or size, might we do the same for dogs? My motto: assume the best, but be prepared for the worst. I apply that to everyone I meet.

Hi! It's nice to meet you...

for keeps: Blog the Change for Animals

There are so many animals out there in need of homes, and so many who are destroyed as a result. So it goes without saying that unless you need a particular breed of animal pet for a specific reason, adoption is the best option. Regardless of the means by which a pet joins a family, the most important factor is that the family knows what they are getting into. A pet is a member of a family, not an armchair that can be replaced if the leg is busted or the upholstery is worn. Pets are in it for the long haul. If they are sick, they must be cared for–not discarded. If a family moves, it needs to seek out a pet-friendly option in a new home, not dump the animal at a shelter. And if your pet urinates around the house, it's time for behavior training, not the streets. We all have our issues, right?

Before getting a pet, think about the following:

1. What will this pet add to the family?

2. What care is involved with this pet?

3. Will this pet be good around children (if applicable)? And will the children be able to help care for the pet?

4. How long is the pet expected to live, and are there any health concerns surrounding this type of pet?

5. How much time is our family willing to put into training?

6. What are the potential issues with the specific pet we are considering adding to our family?

7. Who will care for the pet?

8. Can we afford to care for this pet?

9. Does our family's activity level and presence in the home fit with the needs of the pet?

10. Is our family ready to make a commitment to care for the pet for the duration of it's life?

It's wonderful that there are no-kill options for families who are in over their heads, but if research is done before a pet enters the family, there is a better chance that that pet will be a perfect, livelong fit, as it should be. Bringing a pet into the family is a commitment for the life of the pet, period. Pets are for keeps.

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Blog the Change for Animals: Lost Our Home Pet Foundation

Phoenix is one of the cities hit hardest by the real estate and economic crisis. The many who have lost their homes here can't always bring their animals with them, wherever they are going. Pet owners may be unable to support their animals, financially, and are at risk of surrendering them or abandoning them. Lost Our Home Pet Foundation has come to the rescue. "Our mission is to be a resource for real estate professionals and other members of the community who discover an abandoned pet, and to provide options for pet owners faced with difficult economic circumstances while promoting the spaying and neutering of pets," stated Jodi Polanski, founder of Lost Our Home (LOH) Pet Foundation. The organization was founded in 2008 "as a grassroots response to the thousands of pets in need as a result of the economic downturn in general, and the Phoenix-area foreclosure crisis in particular." Thousands of dogs and cats have been abandoned in yards and homes, surrendered, or underfed. Lost Our Home is the only organization in the Valley of it's kind. Not only do they focus on the animals they rescue from foreclosed homes or after evictions, but on the owners and the human-animal bond, as well.

LOH's programs include:

Food Bank: In these difficult economic times, sometimes even providing food for your pet can seem impossible. LOH understands the trouble pet owners are going through and takes pet food donations to individuals in need of assistance.

Temp Foster Program: Foreclosure or a forced move can prevent people from keeping their pets. The LOH Temporary Foster Program provides care for pets whose owners need to stay somewhere temporarily so that they can be reunited.

Pet Friendly Rental Program: LOH's realtor-volunteers help pet owners find pet-friendly rentals so they can keep their pets when they need to move. 100% of the commission earned (usually $200-$300) is donated to cover pet deposit fees.

Rescue Assistance: If pets are in need of immediate assistance, LOH helps to place pets whose owners are in crises up for adoptions or consider them for other programs.

To keep these programs up and running, LOH relies on the help of incredible volunteers and and donations of money and supplies for their shelter or food bank. The foster volunteers are one of their most valuable resources. The more foster families the organization can rely upon, the more animals they can save.

I asked founder, Jodi Polanski, to tell me about one of her most memorable adoption success stories. Though she had many tales to draw from, one recent adoption, in particular, was very dear to her: Shea.

Shea is a gorgeous male cat who has been through a lot. He was found as a newborn cowering under an oleander bush in Phoenix. Jodi explained, "his eyes and body were infested with fleas, and he was extremely ill. He was so young that he had to be syringe-fed, and it was not certain that his eyes–or life–could be saved."

Shea pulled through, but his chances of being adopted seemed slight. One of his eyes had to be removed, and he had limited vision in the other. "And he is black," said Jodi. "Black cats and dogs are often the last to be adopted and, if they are not adopted, they are often euthanized for space."

Shea beat the odds.

Shea's strong will to survive and loving personality won over everyone around him, and, finally, won over Travis and Michelle, who adopted him two years after he was brought to Lost Our Home. "I dreamt about him after we visited the shelter," said Travis, "so we knew we had to adopt him."

Shea is now happy and healthy, loving life in his new home with Travis and Michelle. But if not for the tireless volunteers, vets, and supporters of LOH, Shea may never have made it out of that oleander bush.

It's about compassion for animals, first and foremost, which is sometimes difficult and contested in such a time and place of economic crisis. When a family is struggling to feed themselves, and survival is the stress they hold every minute of every day, tough choices have to be made. Some families give up satellite TV. Some don't have electricity. Some are so desperate that they surrender or abandon their pets–their family members. Lost Our Home Pet Foundation has recognized a desperate need in our community and has taken action to help furry family members stay with their pack. And when that just isn't possible, they help the animals find new forever homes. The organization is an advocate and miraculous resource for so many animals and people.

LOH needs your help, and there are many ways do donate. Please consider helping. And if you're looking for a new addition to your family, consider pets who, through no fault of their own, are tragic victims of this crisis in our economy. Think about adopting a Lost Our Home pet.

This is a Blog Hop!

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1. Targeting MD's Breed Specific Law - GoPetFriendly	2. Peggy's Pet Place- awesome teen volunteers	3. Blog the Change for Greyhound Rescue
4. Be The Change for Animals from Rescued Dogs View	5. How to Change the World in 30 Seconds	6. Bunny's Blog
7. Dead Dog Walking - Heart Like a Dog	8. Spine of the Continent	9. Pooch Smooches: My 1st Shelter Love
10. Stunning Keisha: Blog the Change 4 Animals	11. Blog the Change for Animals: Lost Our Home Pet Fou	12. Tails from the Foster Kittens
13. HumaneWatch reports on HSUS spending	14. FiveSibes™: Operation Roger Truckers Pet Transport	15. Dog Leashes: Be Aware of Dangers
16. Blog the Change: Volunteers Make the Difference	17. Save the Bees to Save Our Food	18. The Doney Memorial Pet Clinic
19. No Tail Left Behind - Tail Docking Truths Revealed	20. The Awesome Volunteers at Paws For Life, Inc.	21. Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge

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