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Shelter for Pets of Domestic Violence Survivors Breaks Ground Saturday  November 3, 2011 | WMFE - Central Florida's first shelter for the pets of domestic violence survivors will break ground Saturday morning. Officials say they hope it'll be a short time from groundbreaking to ribbon-cutting.
The Paws for Peace kennel will house the animals of people who’ve fled an abusive home situation and are living in Orange County’s Harbor House domestic violence shelter. Harbor House CEO Carol Wick says the project took more time than she’d first expected to get off the drawing board, but there is strong community support for the shelter. “One hundred percent of the funds have been raised right here in Orange County by local donors,” Wick says. “And it’s a great project, and I think it’s going to break down a lot of barriers for people who right now might delay coming into shelter because there’s no place for their pets.” Wick says about half of domestic violence survivors report they put off leaving an abusive environment because they didn’t want to leave their pets. “What’s even more sad is that 85% of women in shelter report that they’ve had an animal either injured or killed by their batterer,” says Wick. “So delaying leaving because you know your pet’s going to be harmed is a reality for a lot of people who are in abusive relationships.” She expects the kennel to be ready to house pets next spring. |
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