Support Survivors of Domestic Violence and Their Pets with Bayer #PAWSAct

Every 9 seconds, a woman in the US is assaulted or beaten. That equates to more than 4 million women per year. Often times, women refuse to leave abusive relationships because they are worried about leaving their pets behind.

Unfortunately, the abuse also extends to pets. About 1 million animals are abused per year because of domestic violence. Many domestic violence survivors don't seek safety because they don't want to leave their pets behind. A lot of shelters for survivors of domestic violence cannot accommodate pets.

Pawsitively Pets is a Bayer Pet Influencer and we are helping to spread the word about the PAWS Act. We only share information that we feel is relevant to our readers. 

While I was at the BlogPaws Conference a few weeks ago, I listened to a woman named Trish tell her story. Trish is a survivor of domestic violence with pets. Her story was both heartbreaking and touching.

She was willing to do whatever it took to keep her family together - her pets. Even if that path was not in her own best personal interest. Fortunately, Trish was able to bring her pets with her as she sought out shelter from her abuser because of Noah's Animal House.

Noah's Animal House in Las Vegas is a full service boarding facility on the grounds of the largest women & children's shelter in Nevada - The Shade Tree Shelter. They have cared for and protected over 1,000 pets for the women and children at The Shade Tree Shelter.

According to Rose Brooks Center  in Kansas City, Missouri: 

• 71% of pet-owning women entering emergency shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims, and; 
• 48% of domestic violence survivors report they are unable to escape their abusers because they are concerned about what will happen to their pets when they leave. 

About the #PAWSAct

There are currently no laws that protect the pets of domestic violence survivors. Bayer Animal Health supports the Pet and Women Safety Act, or the PAWS Act. The PAWS Act is a piece of legislation that will provide protection to all survivors of domestic violence, including pets.

There are not enough domestic violence shelters in the US that can accommodate the pets of domestic violence survivors. This results in survivors having to choose between life without their pet, or living in a dangerous situation.

The PAWS Act addresses this issue by providing grant funding to programs that offer housing assistance, support services, and training for survivors of domestic violence and their families, including their pets. It also prohibits threats or acts of violence against a person's pet under the offenses of stalking and interstate violation of a protection order and requires the inclusion of any costs incurred for veterinary services relating to physical care for the victim's pet in restitution in domestic violence and stalking offenses.

Watch Bayer's video below to learn more about how the PAWS Act will help survivors of domestic violence and their pets. 

Show Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence with Bayer #PAWSAct

There are several ways that you can become involved and help.

PAWS: Share the story! Share anything you can about the PAWS Act. Share the video, share this article. Spread the word!

Support Survivors of Domestic Violence and Their Pets - Share the @Bayer4Pets #PAWSAct to spread the word: https://t.co/l48niWJgQA pic.twitter.com/DxmlxSoeSu

— Pawsitively Pets (@mypawsitivepet) May 30, 2017

Send a letter to members of your local legislature. Visit PetandWomenSafety.com to send a letter. It really is simple and will only take a moment of your time. 

During the BlogPaws conference, attendees were able to send letters to their legislators from the Bayer Animal Health booth. It is amazing that by the time the conference ended, over 1000 letters have now been sent out. Will you add your letter to the list? 

Thank you for supporting the PAWS Act. Please share to spread the message!