Nonprofit Finds Safety for Pets-August 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Donna Miller
Plain Dealer Reporter
Women and children being abused in their homes by the men in their lives have trunk loads of problems to overcome in order to escape. One of those hurdles is fearing for the safety of their helpless pets. They feel trapped because domestic violence shelters can't accommodate pets.
That's why veterinarian James Prueter and family-law attorney Leslie Gentile founded SAFE -- Safety for Animals and Families in Emergencies. It's a network of foster homes, the Cleveland Animal Protective League, veterinarians and battered women's shelters in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. SAFE spokeswoman Lesley Ashworth is working to bring Medina and Summit counties into the fold.
When a woman seeks shelter, her pets are taken to safe homes or boarding facilities, where they remain until the woman relocates. Foster-care givers are carefully screened volunteers.
SAFE is a nonprofit organization founded in 2002 that relies on donations and grants to pay for veterinary care and pet food. More money and more help are needed. Get details at safe.cuyahogacounty.us, safeanimals1@yahoo.com, or 216-970-3035.
Northeast Ohio is fortunate to have SAFE. A recent survey by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network found that nearly all shelter workers know of women who stayed in abusive homes because they feared for their pets and had nowhere to take them. Many if not most of the 70-plus women's shelters across the state lack programs that would help these women and their beloved pets who have shared their lives of fear and pain. Find the shelter nearest you -- actionohio.org/dvshelter.htm -- to help get a pet program started. The people at SAFE will gladly share their trail-blazing, life-saving expertise.
John J. Cohen
Environmental Specialist II
Division of Animal Care & Control
720-865-2440 office
303-513-6882 cell
john.cohen@ci.denver.co.us
