TGIF!! Friday and the weekend has arrived, phew.
We discussed October being Domestic Violence Awareness month in my last week blog and I want to discuss having a pet in a shelter.
This is a subject that I have seen discussed on many groups on Facebook, and how important it is for a survivors to have their pet with them in the shelter, so I am going to share my story here.
Listening to Mom tell her story as I am a doggy shelter survivor, Nili
I was fortunate to be able to take Baby into the shelter with me towards the end of my stay, before I moved over to another shelter and then transitional housing.
It was fantastic having her with me again and I was really blessed but people also need to understand Shelter policies also, so I do understand why shelters say no. They are not selfish but, in a way, practical and this is why :
01.There are children in shelters who are going through trauma and might be afraid of pets
- Allergies from pets
- The shelter staff are overloaded already so if you are running around sorting out your life you are adding another burden to the staff as your pet is in your room.
- Shelters have curfews so if your pet needs to go potty at night you cannot take him/her out.
- Not all shelters can give you a single room so you might be sharing with someone who does not like pets.
When I was in the shelter with Baby I took her out just before the curfew started, I had my own room which made it easier but her food and water was in my room, she was not allowed in the public areas because of the reasons I listed above, when we did go out she was on leash and was on leash when we got back till we got to my room.
This is food for thought and there are shelters that are slowly allowing pets of have solutions for your pet who will be fostered, this actually became an important issue during COVID which opened the doors to some solutions.
I would love to hear your input on this subject and what is happening in your area ?
Have a safe weekend, Nili
I do not know the policy here, but I do know it’s a concern. Some victims of domestic violence don’t want to leave because they are afraid of harm to their pets and know they have to leave them behind to get themselves to safety.
This is one thing rescues might think to start addressing, keeping a list of volunteers who would foster a pet for a person in such a crisis. People who are helping someone get away from domestic violence might also stop and think about the pets if they have time, and find a temporary home. It’s certainly food for thought.
This is one of the issues that need to be addressed as many survivors with pets stay because they do not want to leave their pets behind and unfortunately rescuers are so overloaded and looking for fosters all the time we cannot really put that on them also. By discussing this openly will only help those that need it as they will then know there is a solution. Thanks for your input.
It is a very hard decision and that is why I am speaking out for the pets as I am hoping by people reading the post they will help find a solution for everyone.
I’m sure having Baby with you helped so much during such a challenging time. I’ve always thought it was so unfair to not allow dogs in shelters. After all, these women and children have been through so much how could they be forced to give up a family member. I hadn’t considered the reasons listed for that decision, but they make sense. I have no idea what the policies are where I live, but I do know there’s a charity that helps place dogs and cats in foster homes if their families are temporarily unable to care for them. I hope more shelters find a way to keep all family members together.
Hindy I was really blessed having Baby with me but I do understand the policies also as it is complicated as such. Yes they need to be saved also but we need to consider the full picture and you are very blessed that there is a charity in your area that steps in to help, the pets are very lucky
Most of the shelters here are pet friendly, which is unusual because our state always lags behind on social issues. Thanks for joining Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Terry I am so happy to hear that you have made my day. Thank you as always for your wonderful Thankful Thursday Blog Hop, have a wonderful week
I have no idea what shelters are like here. I do know that we have a large population on the streets for one reason or another. When i managed the petstore i donated pet supplies to the locals who needed and were seen regularly. From food to sleep mats during our harsh winters.
Victoria thank you so much for helping them, every bit of help makes a difference and I am sure many do not know what happens in the shelters in their areas and that is why it is so important to speak out.
Thank you for sharing this. I think it’s very important to talk about this so that we can try and come up with better solutions for everyone. I believe that it’s wrong to rob someone, who has already lost so much, of their pet too. At the same time, we do have to think of allergies and people who have canine trauma too.
I have no ideas on this yet, but I feel like this is good to think over.
Andrea thank you for your input and yes we do have to find a solution but like everything else it takes time and funding to do, by speaking out about it hopefully it will open peoples eyes to this problem and help solve it. Be safe and thaanks for thinking of ideas
You & Baby were so lucky to have found a shelter that allows pets. I’m glad things are slowly changing. You bring out good points about why shelters can’t always accommodate pets. I’d like to see all shelters block off some space for people with pets.
Thanks Cathy and I would love that too but unfortunately it is going slow because of lack of space and funding, but things are changing. Take care
WOW!!! I never thought of a shelter having a curfew. That would definitely be a consideration. It’s true that some people don’t like dogs or pets. I don’t get it, but they are out there. So, trying to be respectful of others also going through a traumatic experience is so important. This is truly an eye-opening article. I’m so glad you and Baby made it out safely. Henry says sweet Nili needs a cookie.
Terri they have a curfew to keep everyone safe. I do not understand either how people cannot like pets but there are those. People do not think of the problems there are taking a pet to a shelter but we need to consider all so that every survivor feels comfortable and safe and the reason am talking about is hoping others will understand and like me try find a solution for the future. I am blessed we got away safely and have been safe ever since. Nili says thanks for her cookie and is sharing with Henry
Such an important post. Of course someone would not leave their pet behind, and they would hesitate to seek shelter if they can’t bring their beloved pet. Your being an advocate for helping those and their pets from a DV situation is very commendable. I do hope that more and more shelters open up their space for pets so the victim will seek safety by knowing their pet can come. I’m not familiar with what shelters in our state do, but I hope they do accommodate pets. I am so happy you had Baby with you on your journey to safety. Pinning this to share with others.
Dorothy thank you for your compliment. Many will not leave the pets behind but they face the problem of what to do with their pet when they run with them and it makes leaving even harder, I am praying daily that Shelters will open their doors to pets also but I put on the post the problems with having a pet in a shelter so people will understand that side also. I was very fortunate to be able to find a solution for Baby and get her away from it all. Thank you for sharing and be safe.