The Hudson Valley Humane Society of Pomona and Rockland’s Center for Safety & Change in New City have partnered on a new program they hope will encourage victims of domestic violence who also have pets. The “PAWS for Safety” program lets victims and their pets confidentially take refuge in safe housing to escape abuse. Nancy Donoghue is the Center’s Pet Safety Coordinator and says fear for a pet’s safety often keeps victims from leaving their abusers…
Donoghue says having the Humane Society available 24/7 to help the Center with victims’ pets can be critical to saving everyone in an abusive situation. AnnMarie Guadio is the president of the Hudson Valley Humane Society, and says sometimes an animal can show signs of abuse that lead neighbors or family members to suspect situations that humans are sometimes reluctant to admit…
The Center’s 24-hour hotline is 845-634-3344. You can also confidentially report animal abuse to the Humane Society by calling 845-354-3124 or send an email to: “reportcruelty@hvhumane.org.”