Helping animals, helping people: Sojourner and Humane Society's 'Safe Haven' program benefits violence survivors and their pets
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Pets are like family, and no one wants to leave their pet behind in a crisis.
Sojourner Family Peace Center and the Wisconsin Humane Society held a seminar about their Safe Haven program on Thursday, Nov. 21.
"Oftentimes survivors have very, very close connections to their animals," said Rachel Hahn, director of animal and client services with the Wisconsin Humane Society. "It can be a challenge for them to leave a domestic violence situation if they don't know that they have care for their animal."
For 12 years, the Safe Haven program has provided temporary foster homes for animals of domestic abuse survivors.
"Their animal is being cared for, adored, and loved, and just being well taken care of while that client is solely focusing on themselves and their family to get to a safer situation," explained Jessi Tapia, the community engagement specialist at Sojourner.
Tapia said animals can sometimes be a barrier to someone leaving a dangerous situation, due to concerns for the pet's care, housing and safety.
"We want to make sure that animal is safe, make sure that our client is safe, and remove any barriers so that our client can get to a safer situation so that they can thrive and get their autonomy and control back, which includes taking care of their animals," she said.
Since 2012, 365 clients have been served through the Safe Haven program. Just last year, 50 animals were fostered.
The goal is to get the pet back with their person safely once they are ready.
"Those reunions are so heartwarming. It's truly the core of why we do that program," Hahn said.
The program isn't possible without willing fosters, so they're spreading the word.
"We are in need of fosters for this program," Hahn said. "We have many active fosters through the Humane Society, but we're always in need of more to be able to do that lifesaving and life-changing work."
Click here to learn more about the Safe Haven program and foster opportunities.