7 facts about domestic violence and pets

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

Readers of Life With Beagle will know we take a special interest in one particular form of animal cruelty: domestic violence.

This coming Saturday, Harbor House of Central Florida, Orlando's domestic violence shelter, is hosting a walk to raise money for the Paws for Peace Kennel, a refuge for the pets of domestic abuse survivors.

Here are 7 reasons why this kennel is needed in Orlando -- and why more like it should exist all over America.

Lulu's Favorite Things: Helping domestic abuse victims and their pets

 

As you know, we are raising money for Harbor House of Central Florida and its pet kennel for domestic violence victims.

The Paws for Peace Walk is April 26 at 8 a.m. at Blue Jacket Park in Orlando.

This year, I have formed a team! If you go to the secure Paws for Peace website, you can join my team and walk with me. It's a short walk, not even a 5K. And your dog can come too! And there will be a raffle, vendors and other activities too for afterwards! 

So if you are in Central Florida, please consider joining my team! Or if you can't make it, please consider donating to me. I have a low fundraising goal. 

Just head to my personal page -- Team Beagle! The site takes you to Harbor House's page. It's powered by Kintera and is a secure server.

As part of our fundraising efforts, we've launched Lulu's Favorite Things!

Each week, we'll profile a company that has helped us and  produces products we love. These are sponsored campaigns, and half the proceeds from these sponsorships goes to Harbor House.

Here are three great companies who are taking part in the campaign!

   

AND -- We have giveaways too!

April 11-May 1: Jones Natural Chews GIVEAWAY

And don't forget! If you can't donate or join our team, you can still Help Team Beagle! Harbor House is hosting a Paws Photo Contest! Lulu is entered in the contest. If you are on Facebook, please head to this link and vote for her daily!

Go Orange for animals! Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

Lulu is going orange!

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month, sponsored by ASPCA.

Here at Life With Beagle, we are committed to making the quality of life better for people and for pets. In a moment we'll tell you how you can help us with this endeavour this month.

Do you know how to prevent animal abuse?

ASPCA points out these 10 ways to prevent animal abuse where you live:

1. Know who to call to report animal cruelty. Every state and every town are different. In some areas, you may have to rely on the police department to investigate animal cruelty; in others, you may have to contact local animal control or another municipal agency. If you aren't sure where to report cruelty, please visit our Report Animal Cruelty section.
    
2. Get to know and look out for the animals in your neighborhood. By being aware, you're more likely to notice, for example, that the dog next door who was once hefty has lost weight rapidly—a possible indicator of abuse.
    
3. Make the call. Without phone calls from concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhoods, we wouldn't know about most instances of animal abuse. It all comes from the public, it all starts with YOU—that's why it's so important to keep your eyes and ears open.
    
4. Provide as much as information as possible when reporting animal cruelty. The details that you provide can go a long way toward assisting an investigating officer. It helps to write down the type of cruelty you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident and where it took place.
    
5. Contact your local law enforcement department and let them know that investigating animal cruelty should be a priority. Animal cruelty is a CRIME—and the police MUST investigate these crimes.
    
6. Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state and local levels by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade. With stronger laws come tougher penalties. As an ASPCA Advocacy Brigade member, you'll receive emails asking you to write letters encouraging your legislators to pass these laws—and you can send them directly from our website.
    
7. Set a good example for others. If you have pets, be sure to always show them the love and good care they deserve. But it's more than just food, water, and adequate shelter. If you think your animal is sick, bring him to the veterinarian. Be responsible and have your animals spayed or neutered. And give your pets lots of hugs!
    
8. Talk to your kids about how to treat animals with kindness and respect. We regularly see children in homes where animal abuse has been reported. If a parent isn't treating the family's pets right, we tell the kids that their dog or cat would really appreciate fresh water every day or some daily playtime. If the animal has been left outside without shelter, we'll say, 'You have a nice house, and if you get cold, you can put a coat on. But your dog can't do that.' Children understand that animals are living creatures who have the ability to feel pain, joy and sadness.
    
9. Support your local shelter or animal rescue organization. It's a great way to make a difference. Some of our ASPCA volunteers foster animals who have been abused in their former homes, giving these dogs and cats the chance they deserve to have a good life. You can find a list of shelters and rescue groups in your area in our National Shelter Directory.
    
10. Start a Neighborhood Watch Program. Get to know the animals in your neighborhood and invite your friends and neighbors to do the same. Together you can keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviors—abuse and neglect of companion animals, the mistreatment of local wildlife, dogs left in hot cars and other signs of abuse.

 

In our continuing commitment to supporting the human-animal bond, we are once again raising money for the Paws for Peace Walk.

Harbor House of Central Florida has a state of the art, on-property kennel for the pets of domestic violence victims, all paid for with private donations.

Up to 48 percent of domestic violence victims delay leaving a dangerous situation because they don't want to leave their pets.

 The Paws for Peace Walk is April 26 at 8 a.m. at Blue Jacket Park in Orlando.

This year, I have formed a team! If you go to the secure Paws for Peace website, you can join my team and walk with me. It's a short walk, not even a 5K. And your dog can come too! And there will be a raffle, vendors and other activities too for afterwards!

So if you are in Central Florida, please consider joining my team! Or if you can't make it, please consider donating to me. I have a low fundraising goal. 

Just head to my personal page -- Team Beagle! The site takes you to Harbor House's page. It's powered by Kintera and is a secure server.

Meanwhile -- if you can't donate or join our team, you can still Help Team Beagle! Harbor House is hosting a Paws Photo Contest! Lulu is entered in the contest. If you are on Facebook, please head to this link and vote for her daily!

Up to 85 percent of domestic abuse victims say their partner threatened, hurt or killed a pet. - See more at: http://www.lifewithbeagle.com/2013/12/harbor-house-paws-for-peace-kennel-1.html#sthash.zBv4VzVO.dpuf

Up to 85 percent of domestic abuse victims say their partner threatened, hurt or killed a pet. - See more at: http://www.lifewithbeagle.com/2013/12/harbor-house-paws-for-peace-kennel-1.html#sthash.zBv4VzVO.dpu

Harbor House Paws for Peace Kennel: 1 year later

About a year ago we took you on a tour of a new kennel in Orange County, Florida -- a safe haven for pets of people escaping abusive relationships.


The Paws for Peace Kennel opened last year at the Harbor House of Central Florida complex.

The idea for the kennel came about eight years ago. The goal was a privately-funded facility that cared for the pets of domestic violence victims – more like a doggy day care than a shelter. 

“We had one $50,000 donation from the Orange County Animal Services trust fund but the remaining was all private,” said Carol Wick, CEO for Harbor House.

The kennel includes special kennels for dogs, cubbies for cats, dog runs, a park and a cat porch. 

 

But the first pet to enter the shelter? A guinea pig.

Since then the shelter has also cared for 44 dogs, 14 cats and a bird.

Harbor House said 49 families were able to escape their situation thanks to the kennel. Could they escape without their pets? Maybe. 

 
However, 48 percent of domestic abuse victims will hold off on leaving because they fear what will happen to their pets.
 
Many shelters do try to find some way to make accommodations, partnering with an animal shelter or rescue. But few shelters across the country have the ability to take pets in, like Harbor House does now. 

Up to 85 percent of domestic abuse victims say their partner threatened, hurt or killed a pet.

Before the opening of the shelter, which services Orange County primarily, Harbor House got one or two calls a week from people who needed a place for their pet.

The goal now is to get more shelters across the country to do. Harbor House is now working to help other shelters open a kennel like theirs.

Harbor House also continues to raise money and seek donations to keep the shelter going. In April the shelter will host the Paws for Peace Walk fundraiser. It’s being held in April to coincide with National Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

People who want to donate can go to Harbor House FL.com

Florida's Animal Rights ranking -- How we can make it better

Florida has lots of dog-friendly beaches, parks, restaurants and even spas. But we could be more pet-friendly when it comes to our laws.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund released its annual state rankings earlier this month. Florida is in the top tier at number 19, at the bottom of the top tier. Not bad -- but it could be better.

And it wouldn't take much to do either.

The state with the best animal protection laws is Illinois, the worst is Kentucky.
Click on the map to see how your state ranked.

Here are the 15 categories used to determine the rankings:

1. General prohibitions 
2. Penalties 
3. Exemptions 
4. Mental health evaluations & counseling 
5. Protective orders 
6. Cost mitigation & recovery
7. Seizure/impoundment 
8. Forfeiture and post‐conviction possession 
9. Non‐animal agency reporting of suspected animal cruelty 
10. Veterinarian reporting of suspected animal cruelty 
11. Law enforcement policies 
12. Sexual assault 
13. Fighting 
14. Offender registration 
15. “Ag gag” legislation

What Florida does right

 Lora Dunn, one of the analysts at Animal Legal Defense Fund, says Florida has a lot of things going for it.

"Florida does have a felony provision for cruelty, for neglect and for animal fighting," Dunn said.  "And Florida also has mandatory mental health evaluations for convicted abusers."

Florida also has provisions that allow a vet to report an animal who is abused or neglected, and Florida does not have what is called an "Ag Gag" rule, which bans whistleblowers from reporting animal abuses at farms.

Sexual assault of animals is also a crime in Florida. But it's only a misdemeanor. ALDF says it would be better as a felony.

Where Florida Can Improve

Dunn offers some easy changes Florida can make.

"We could make it mandatory in Florida that victims cannot return to their abusers after their convictions," Dunn said. "Currently, even when someone is convicted of abusing their dog, they can regain possession of their pet after completing their sentence. We would like a mandatory provision."

ALDF would also like to make it mandatory that vets report possible abuse or neglect.

"Florida could also improve by making future ownership of animals being banned to convicted abusers," Dunn said. "That ban could be discretionary in terms of its length."

ALDF would also like Florida to make it so that abusers have to pay back shelters who take care of their pets while they are in their care. ALDF also wants Florida to increase the penalties for orders.

Another issue that ALDF would like to see changed is regarding court orders. They want animals to be included when domestic abuse victims go to get court orders. 

What You Can Do

The Florida Legislative session starts in March. Florida's lawmakers only pass new laws during the 90 day session. So far, there are no animal rights laws.

My Florida House.com is the place to find out who your Florida House lawmaker is. Florida Senate.com  is where you can find your Florida Senator.

ASPCA has a whole section on how to lobby your lawmakers. Check out their advocacy center to find out what you can do. 

And if you don't live in Florida, you can find out your own state's ranking and how to make it better. Just go to ALDF and read the report.

PHOTO TOUR: Harbor House's Paws for Peace kennel opens

While a everyone went gaga over the grand opening of New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World, much further north in Orange County, I joined a group of community leaders a very different grand opening.

Harbor House Board of Directors President Janet Ziomek, Orange County Animal Services Division Manager Dil Luther, SeaWorld Orlando VP of Marketing Toni Caracciolo, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, and Harbor House CEO Carol Wick cut the ribbon on the Paws for Peace kennel.

Harbor House of Central Florida opened its new Paws for Peace kennel and in-kind donation center Thursday, after years of fund raising and planning.

Sadly, this kind of facility is desperately needed.

The Harbor House says up to 48 percent of domestic violence victims delay getting out of their bad situation because they don't want to leave their pets. And up until this week, Harbor House had no place for pets. Across the country, only 70 domestic violence shelters accept pets at all.

Back in October Life With Beagle helped organize Doggy Day Out Orlando, which collected donations for this very facility.

And in November I walked in the Paws for Peace walk, and raised about $150 for Harbor House.

This is why we did all that. And take a close look at the following pictures... you may recognize some of the things you donated.

A 2,100 square-foot warehouse will hold in-kind donations. Harbor House goes through thousands, if not millions of items every year. Not only do they need to keep their facilities stocked, they also help families start over. Many escape without more than the clothes on their backs.

A section for pet items.

In the shelter itself, a pantry for food.

This sink is part of a full-service grooming area. Hollywood Houndz in Lake Mary helped provide the equipment and volunteers.

Two sets of these cat condos! There's room for 10 cats to live comfortably. They are working on getting a multi-story condo for cat families.

A cat porch! Owners can sit out here with their cats and relax.

What are they watching on the cat porch? The dog park!

There are 10 of these kennels for the dogs. And each have a bed, dishes and something to chew on.

And finally, dog runs. For when the dog just has to go.

 The Paws for Peace kennel and Harbor House could still use some donations. If you are interested in helping, head to the Harbor House website.

Paws for peace walk helps domestic violence victims and their pets

In the past month, 12 people in Central Florida died at the hands of domestic violence or abuse.

That's why this past weekend, people and pets, hand in paw, walked to help victims of domestic violence -- not just humans, but their animals.

The annual Paws for Peace walk started with a reminder of innocence and hope. They released butterflies, honoring all the victims.

So many butterflies, they were tough to get out of the container.

According to Harbor House of Central Florida, sponsor of the Paws for Peace walk, in 2010 there was one domestic violence homicide every two weeks in Orange County, Florida. It's a huge problem in our area. Harbor House has a shelter for victims and their families. And soon they'll have a shelter for pets too. 

The Paws for Peace shelter opens in December. It's meant so that families don't have to leave their pets behind.  According to Harbor House:

• According to the American Animal Hospital Association, an estimated 88% of pets living in households with domestic violence are either abused or killed.  
• Of all survivors who enter shelters to escape violence, 57% have had a pet killed by their abuser.

Lulu met lots of dogs at the Paws for Peace walk Saturday. Dogs of all shapes and sizes, all lending a paw to a great cause.

Not only did humans raise money for Harbor House and the shelter (I raised $140 thanks to you guys -- my loyal friends, family and readers), but puppies helped raise money too with a special photo contest. Lulu entered. People voted for the best looking dogs. I don't actually know if Lulu won anything, but people loved her.

Harbor House then raised even more money selling shirts, bandanas, and raffle tickets for awesome prizes. All told, more than $18,000 was raised for Harbor House. That will go a long way toward finishing the shelter and helping families.

But unfortunately, there's still more that needs to be done. If you're in the Orlando area, please consider helping Harbor House by going to their website.

Do you know what the domestic violence is near you? Do they have a way to help victims with pets? Look them up and find out how you can help them. Perhaps it's just a donation. Perhaps they need someone who can help take those pets in.

There are only 70 domestic violence shelters in the country that can make some provision for pets.

And if you need help finding a shelter near you, or you need help getting out of your situation, you can go to the National Domestic Violence Hotline website. There is also a phone number you can call: 1-800-799-SAFE(7233).

Doggy Day Out Donations Go to Harbor House and Domestic Violence Victims

Lulu is confused again. Lots of food, treats, toys -- and she can't have ANY of it!

It's not for her though. It's all the donations people gave at Doggy Day Out Orlando a few weeks ago at Barber Park. Check out the link above. I posted pictures from the event.

All these items went to Harbor House of Central Florida today. They will all be part of the Paws for Peace kennel, which opens in December.

Thanks to everyone who came out, and thanks to our sponsors who donated prizes:

Pine 22
Tijuana Flats' Just in Queso Foundation
Painting with a Twist
Jimmy Johns (Amanda and Joe Clark, especially!)
Woof Gang Bakery -- Winter Park
News 13
Pookie's Bakery
Rick's Dog Deli.com
Orlando City Soccer
Sit n Stay Pet Cafe

What's next? We will host another event after the holidays. But first, Harbor House of Central Florida is having their Paws for Peace walk this Saturday at Blue Jacket Park.


Did you know:

• 48% of domestic violence survivors delay leaving an abusive home because they don’t have a safe place for their pets.
• Pet abuse is often a retaliatory action of abusers. Animals are used as leverage by the batterer as a means to control their victims or as part of a pre-emptive strike to gain or maintain control.
• According to the American Animal Hospital Association, an estimated 88% of pets living in households with domestic violence are either abused or killed.
• Of all survivors who enter shelters to escape violence, 57% have had a pet killed by their abuser.

 These statistics were provided by Harbor House.

So please, help me by donating to the Paws for Peace website. My personal goal is $125. You can go to my personal fundraising site to donate. 

If you can't donate, please at least help me spread the word. 

Pets should not be used as pawns for violence. 

Help me raise money to help domestic violence victims and their pets

Whew! The last couple of weeks have been busy! First, we got lots of donations for the new Paws for Peace kennel with our Doggy Day Out Orlando event.

And then Lulu and I had a blast at Barkworld Expo in Atlanta!

But we're not done yet!

Right now Lulu and I are trying to raise money for the Paws for Peace Walk, which is this Saturday in Orlando.

The walk is hosted by Harbor House of Central Florida, which is a shelter for domestic violence victims. This is the third annual walk, and it's meant to help both victims and their pets.

Did you know:

• 48% of domestic violence survivors delay leaving an abusive home because they don’t have a safe place for their pets.
• Pet abuse is often a retaliatory action of abusers. Animals are used as leverage by the batterer as a means to control their victims or as part of a pre-emptive strike to gain or maintain control.
• According to the American Animal Hospital Association, an estimated 88% of pets living in households with domestic violence are either abused or killed.
• Of all survivors who enter shelters to escape violence, 57% have had a pet killed by their abuser.

 These statistics were provided by Harbor House.

So please, help me by donating to the Paws for Peace website. My personal goal is $125. You can go to my personal fundraising site to donate. 

If you can't donate, please at least help me spread the word. 

Pets should not be used as pawns for violence. 

Doggies Get a Day Out and Help Domestic Violence Victims

When we got to Barber Park Sunday for Doggy Day Out Orlando, we didn't know what to expect, Lulu and I.

We had put out a lot of fliers, tweeted lots, got our friends at News 13 to talk about it. But would people show up, and would they donate?

Boy, did they ever!

People started showing up before we were even ready.

Folks came with all kinds of dogs -- poodles, beagles, pugs, corgies, westies.

And they brought all kinds of things for the Paws for Peace kennel -- food, treats, leashes, toys, even a pet carrier!

I want to thank all the wonderful people who made this possible.

My friends Rachael Singer, Jenevieve Jackson and Brian Wilson for all their help at the event and with the event.

(Me and Brian and our dogs)

News 13's Allison Walker, Brett Rosner and Ybeth Bruzual for helping spread the word. And Ybeth's mom for her goodies, they were a big hit!

 (News 13's Ybeth Bruzual hangs out with John Ambrogne)

Special thanks to Audra Turner and Joshua Perry at Orange County Parks and Recreation for helping me make this happen at Barber Park.

And finally, our sponsors, who donated awesome prizes:

Pine 22
Tijuana Flats' Just in Queso Foundation
Painting with a Twist
Jimmy Johns (Amanda and Joe Clark, especially!)
Woof Gang Bakery -- Winter Park
News 13
Pookie's Bakery
Rick's Dog Deli.com
Orlando City Soccer
Sit n Stay Pet Cafe

 (Some of our prize winners)

Now I'm working on getting the donations to Harbor House of Central Florida for their new Paws for Peace Kennel, opening in December.

I think we will definitely try to do this again. I am humbled by the turn out. Thanks again!