According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s largest animal protection organization, research shows a strong correlation between domestic violence and animal abuse. In a 1997 survey of domestic violence shelters, researchers found that 85.4 percent of women’s shelter directors report that women in their facilities talk about the abuse of pets as part of their victimization. Surveys of women in shelters in Utah and Wisconsin found that 71 to 80 percent of women with pets report violence or threats of violence towards their pets.

Animal shelters across the country are implementing programs designed to temporarily house the pets of domestic violence victims in recognition of the need to protect animals while giving victims an opportunity to escape. Claire Ponder is the new Manager of The HSUS’ First Strike! Campaign, which is designed to increase awareness about the

connection between animal cruelty and human violence. She hopes to expand these programs to additional communities.

“By working together, law enforcement agencies, social services agencies, animal shelters, and schools can do a better job of protecting all of the victims of violence,” said Ponder