News

Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty and the Board of County Commissioners today awarded Harbor House of Central Florida a $50,000 Trust Fund grant to help build Central Florida’s first kennel for pets of domestic violence victims. The grant will be awarded from the Animal Services Trust Fund, which is comprised of donations from the public aimed at protecting the citizens and animals of Orange County. The on-site kennel at Harbor House will house up to 20 pets of shelter residents and will be one of only 37 known nationwide in the American Humane Pets and Women's Shelter (PAWS)® Program.
 
“This innovative partnership has evolved into a dynamic, multifaceted and industry-leading relationship,” said Katherine Lockett, Division Manager of Animal Services. “I am proud to announce during Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month that together we will save hundreds of
families -- including their pets -- from enduring the brutality of abuse.”
 
National statistics show up to 48 percent of domestic violence victims delay leaving an abusive home out of fear of what will happen to their pets.
 
“Every week, we receive calls from domestic violence victims who want to leave their situation but are fearful of what will happen to their pets if they are left behind,” said Carol Wick, Chief Executive Officer of Harbor House, Orange County’s only certified domestic violence shelter. “The new on-site kennel will allow women and children to safely leave an abusive situation and bring their pet with them -- so no one gets left behind.”
 
In addition to the kennel, the agencies have developed a unique implementation of American Humane’s PAWS Program, including a revolutionary first-responder transport program that enables Animal Services Officers to assist domestic violence victims by transporting their pets to Harbor House’s on-site kennel, vaccinating them and evaluating them for injuries. In cases where animal abuse is suspected, Animal Services will launch a cruelty investigation.
 
“We are extremely excited to see the level of commitment these two agencies have for keeping families together by implementing the PAWS Program in Orange County,” said Allie Phillips, Vice President of Public Policy for American Humane. “American Humane has advocated and acted on behalf of children and animals for more than 130 years, and The Link between animal abuse and domestic violence is indisputable. The partnership and program that Animal Services and Harbor House have developed is extremely comprehensive and serves as a model for other communities who want to end the cycle of domestic violence.”
 
Up to 75 percent of domestic violence victims report their batterers have threatened, harmed or killed their pets, and nearly 80 percent of violent incidents occurred in the presence of women and children.
 
“Thirty-two percent of battered women reported their children then hurt or killed animals, which begins an entire new cycle of abuse,” said Lockett.
 
“We want to stop the cycle of violence in our community,” said Wick. “We are thrilled to collaborate with community partners to build this kennel and provide women and children a new path to safety for their whole family.”
 
As part of the program, Animal Services will provide on-going best practices consultation for the on-site kennel including housing and care, animal handling and other safety standards. Harbor House will introduce animal abuse as a component of its InVEST training program.
 
For more information, please visit www.ocfl.net/cruelty. To make a donation to help build the on-site kennel at Harbor House, visit www.harborhousefl.com.
 
About Orange County Animal Services
Orange County Animal Services is Central Florida’s largest pet rescue and adoption center. Last year, Animal Services received nearly 23,000 animals at its shelter. For 40 years, the agency’s mission has been to protect citizens and animals of Orange County. Its vision is to give abandoned and neglected pets a second chance to live long, healthy lives in safe, loving homes. Visit www.ocnetpets.com.
 
About Harbor House of Central Florida
Harbor House provides safe shelter, a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, emotional support and legal advocacy for thousands of domestic violence survivors and their children each year. Harbor House also prepares survivors for re-entry into the community—connecting them to resources that will enable them to live independently, safely and peacefully. Harbor House is Orange County's only state-certified domestic violence facility. Its 24-Hour Crisis Hotline is (407) 886-2856 (TDD) or (800) 500-1119 (FL). For more information, please visit www.harborhousefl.com.