News
Ahimsa House – No Pet Left Behind
November 04, 2008, 9:4AM MT
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Georgia’s only organization solely dedicated to providing shelter for animal victims of domestic violence
Georgia’s only organization solely dedicated to providing shelter for animal victims of domestic violence
By Barbara J. Koll, Best Friends Network Volunteer
Ahimsa House (AH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a safe haven for pets of domestic violence victims allowing families to concentrate on their own safety without the added worry of caring for their pets. Georgia has many certified shelters for human v ictims of domestic violence but very few that accept pets. Originally, AH maintained a central shelter at a secret location in the metro Atlanta area where the pets of victims of domestic violence were held. In late 2006, AH suspended emergency sheltering services for six months to develop an Emergency Animal Safehouse Services program. In the year following the launch of the new program model AH received 176 crisis calls and provided emergency shelter for the pets of 35 families and provided information and referrals to many other families.
In 2008, AH expanded the Emergency Animal Safehouse services program to serve 60 families annually in the metro Atlanta area. The demand for services continues to rise and AH continually seeks to meet that need. AH holds an animal shelter license from the Georgia Department of Agriculture and is a member of the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Gwinnett County Family Violence Task Force, the Forsyth County Domestic Violence Task Force and Georgia Legal Professionals for Animals.
Ahimsa House recently reached one of it’s major major goals, according to President Maya Gupta – expansion of their boarding and foster care services to serve individuals throughout Georgia. They will continue to build that state-wide network of supporting veterinarians and boarding facilities. AH is also quite active in presenting programs and training to raise awareness about eh connection between animal abuse and domestic violence. Future goals anti-violence and compassion programs for children and at-risk youth, and a transitional housing program for families and their pets when they leave domestic violence shelters.
Witnessing pet abuse is traumatic to both children and adults. In a domestic violence situation, a close bond with a pet often provides a vital source of support and comfort. Leaving a pet behind is an additional stressor during a time of crisis. Battered women have been known to live in their cars with their pets for months at a time until they are able to find safe housing which would accept their pets. Ahimsa House fills a gap for women seeking to escape domestic violence situations by providing a safe environment for their pets while they seek help for themselves.
Dr. Gupta says that increased awareness is the key to saving the lives of domestic violence victims and their pets. Once they know about the availability of services such as those provided by Ahimsa House, they become empowered to make meaningful, lifesaving decisions.
Facts: Domestic Violence and Pets
• Domestic violence can occur anywhere and crosses all races, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. In 2004, there were 107 confirmed homicides in Georgia resulting from domestic violence.
• Many perpetrators threaten to harm and even kill pets in the home in order to control, intimidate and retaliate against their victims.
• Approximately 13% of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence (Dr. Gupta notes that this figure probably vastly under-represents the actual rate since the data is unreliable based on the low number of animal abuse cases that actually get investigated and prosecuted).
• Over 70% of domestic violence victims who enter shelters report that their abusers threatened, injured or killed family pets.
• The vast majority (less than 1 in 8) of domestic violence shelters are unable to accommodate victims’ pets.
• Approximately half of the victims entering shelters report that they delayed leaving the home because of safety concerns for their pets. Click here to read about a domestic violence victim from Conyers who did not escape her abuser soon enough.
How Ahimsa House helps victims of domestic violence:
• Ahimsa House services are available to victims anywhere in Georgia
• Ahimsa House operates a 24-hour crisis line and seeks to get the message out to individuals in abusive situations that emergency care is available for their pets
• Emergency Animal Safehouse Services (EASS) provides confidential temporary shelter and veterinary aid for pets while their families seek safety for themselves. EASS accepts referrals from agencies throughout the state that provide assistance to victims of domestic violence as well as law enforcement agencies. Clients may self refer if they are working with one of these agencies or if they have a Temporary Protection Order.
• 24-Hour Crisis Line (404-452-6248) is available to victims regardless of whether they are entered the EASS program. Victims can receive assistance with including pets in TPOs to keep the abuser away from pets or to provide a law enforcement escort to retrieve pets left behind. The crisis line can also provide referrals to programs outside Georgia.
• Professional Outreach and Community Education. Ahimsa House provides free training programs for domestic violence agencies, law enforcement, animal control, veterinarians and other professionals who work with the human and animal victims of domestic violence. Contact outreach@ahimsahouse.org or 404-496-4038, ext. 708 to schedule training for your group or agency.
What you can do:
Volunteer opportunities. Ahimsa House is operated almost entirely by volunteers and has many volunteer opportunities available including – transporting animals, planning special events, fundraising, outreach, public relations and marketing, database management, foster home inspection volunteer, and administrative functions. Click here for more information on volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in one of these volunteer opportunities, download and complete the volunteer application on the website on line and email it to services@ahimsahouse.org.
Serve as a foster parent for pets whose families are in crisis and need temporary care. These pets desperately need caring foster care parents in order to get the second chance they deserve. There are no out-of-pocket expenses for foster parents. Ahimsa House provides food, medication, crates and veterinary care. As a foster parent, all you are asked to do is give love, care and time in a safe and nurturing environment. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, click here to download an application and email it to Myra Rasnick at services@ahimsahouse.org.
Additional boarding facilities and veterinarians willing to provide. Talk to your veterinarian or boarding facility about becoming involved in the mission of saving the pets of domestic violence victims.
Provide in-kind donations or services. Click here for the Ahimsa House Supplies and Services Wishlist to see if there is something you can provide to help Ahimsa House reach its goal of no pet left behind.
Donate to Ahimsa House. Ahimsa House receives no government funding and depends entirely on donations from the public as well as foundation grants and corporate sponsorships. Donations can be sent to P. O. Box 8181, Atlanta, Georgia 31106. Or you can click here to donate on line.
Help educate your community. Even if you cannot volunteer or donate funds or services, you can spread the word about the services provided by Ahimsa House. Many domestic violence victims don’t get help for themselves or their pets because they don’t know the services exist. Ahimsa House can send you brochures to give out to potential clients or to place in your veterinarian’s office.
Additional resources:
Animal Cruelty/Domestic Violence Fact Sheet (HSUS)
Facts about Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence (American Humane)
Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse (ASPCA)
The Connection Between Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty (ASPCA)
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