EVANSTON — On Saturday, Oct. 5, the Uinta County Sexual Assault and Family Violence (SAFV) Task Force held its first of two Pets and People Against Violence Awareness walks. Evanston Police Department Victim Witness Coordinator Vanessa Weekly spoke at the event.

“Why a pet parade? Pets provide support for many individuals, especially victims who are in an abusive relationship,” she said. “The abusive person uses pets by threatening harm to control victims to stay in the relationship. We want to take the opportunity to support our pets who help many of these victims and survivors who experience violence or abuse.”

“In the US, 24 people per minute experience rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner,” SAFV Task Force Director Jesse Barnes told the Herald, “and 1.5 million teens (ages 11-19) per year (experience it) in the US only.”

Barnes explained she’d had a former client who was threatened through abuse of her puppy, which was gifted to her by her abuser during the wooing and/or apology phase of the relationship, “just like flowers,” Barnes said, only to be eventually cruelly killed.

“The abuser says ‘I told you this was going to happen,’ so then there’s guilt and the victim thinks ‘I should have listened; I should have done something different.’  It’s the cycle of abuse,” Barnes said.   

She further detailed another story about a victim who wouldn’t leave a ranch situation because too many beloved animals would be left behind.

“She was choosing violence over safety to make sure her animals would be taken care of,” Barnes said. “One thing the state has added to protection orders is that people can request custody of their pets.”

SAFV Task Force Administrative Assistant and Victim Advocate Jade Zuehlsdorff said, “A lot of domestic violence shelters can’t house victims’ pets for a variety of reasons — either grant funding won’t cover it, or allergies of others living at the shelter, or capacity/space issues. If someone decides to seek a domestic violence shelter, they may have to surrender their pets.” 

While Barnes clarified that they will do everything to locate alternative placement accommodations, she said, “We wanted to bring awareness to the animal shelters because it’s a probability that some of these pets will be abandoned.”

According to literature from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), “71% of pet owners entering domestic violence shelters report that their batterer had threatened, injured or killed family pets.”

Another study found that “87% of batterer-perpetrated incidents of pet abuse are committed...for the purpose of revenge or control.”  Up to 76% of animal violence is perpetrated in front of children, and also likely to be used as a form of coercion.

While up to 40% of victims feel unable to escape because they fear what will happen to their pets when they leave, victims who do seek shelter are significantly more likely — 11 times more — to report animal abuse.

Over half of those felt they had no other choice but to leave their pets with their abusers. Some survivors will live in their vehicles with their animals until pet-friendly arrangements can be made.

NCADV tips for victims with pets are:

• While approximately only 12% of DV shelters can accommodate pets, others have established “safe haven” foster care programs or referrals to animal welfare organizations to facilitate safe keeping of pets.

• Attempt to arrange a temporary agreement with trusted friends, family, local animal shelters or veterinarians.

• When vaccinating and licensing pets, ensure that registrations are listed in the victim’s name. This will serve as proof of ownership.

• Prepare the pets for a quick departure: collect vaccination records, pet license, medical records, and other documents.

• Ask for help from animal care and control officers or law enforcement if pets need to be retrieved from a DV situation.  Never reclaim animals alone.

Weekly told event attendees that they could help spread awareness by sharing resources, articles and statistics through platforms such as social media.

“Awareness is the first step towards change,” she said.

She also encouraged “being a supportive listener,” through providing a safe space and offering guidance. Lastly, Weekly promoted continued support of local shelters and victim programs.

“Donations of time, money, or needed goods are always welcome,” she said. “Today we not only raised awareness about DV (domestic violence) but also sent a powerful message of hope, unity, and commitment to ending violence in our community.”

The second Pets and People Against Violence Awareness Walk will take place at Mountain View Park on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring new pet items, such as food, handling equipment, toys and treats to donate to the local animal shelter. There will be a pet costume contest as well, and any pet that can be led, carried or ridden is invited.

There will also be an online auction, Peer to Peer online Hope for Healing campaign, via their Facebook page on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Contributions will provide safe shelters, counseling, legal assistance, emergency resources, and education programs for domestic violence survivors, as well as fund community awareness campaigns to help end the cycle of abuse.

For more information, or if you need help, please contact: American Humane Association at 303-792-9900; the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE; National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-4-A-CHILD; National Sexual Assault Hotline at: 800-656-HOPE.