On Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 to 11 a.m., FavorHouse will host the 2nd Annual Paws For A Cause: Pet Walk to End DV at Corinne Jones Park, 620 W. Government Street.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and FavorHouse of Northwest Florida says that pets play a significant role in domestic violence cases. Abusers will threaten, harm, or kill pets as a tactic to maintain power and control over their victims. FavorHouse Program Director Marsha Travis states, “The fear of losing a beloved pet will keep people in a domestic violence situation. At FavorHouse, you don’t have to choose between your pet and your safety; we need to ensure people know that.”
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, “Currently, only about 250 shelters in the United States are pet-friendly, with a handful more offering foster care arrangements for pets.”
- Meanwhile, 97% of respondents in a survey conducted by the Urban Resource Institute (URI) and the People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) program stated that keeping their pets was an important determining factor in whether they would seek shelter.
The Pet Walk to End DV event will raise awareness and funds for the pet-friendly shelter and services that serve residents of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who are experiencing intimate partner violence. There will be fun activities for pets who love to socialize and play. People and pets are encouraged to dress in Purple to support DV awareness, and there will be a costume contest for our furry friends. You can register at www.favorhouse.org with a $25 donation to FavorHouse.
- The Paws For A Cause: Pet Walk to End DV is a part of the “Take Action to End Domestic Violence” campaign. The Take Action campaign events are sponsored by Levin, Papantonio, Proctor, Buchanan, O’Brien, Barr & Mougey, P.A., Pat Hilton-Green, and Animal Hospital of Tiger Point. To learn more about how to “Take Action” and to see the full calendar of events, visit www.FavorHouse.org/TakeAction.
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Since 1979, FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, Inc. has been committed to excellence in service to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. As the only certified domestic violence center serving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, FavorHouse provides crisis intervention, emergency shelter, outreach counseling, community education and court services. For more information about FavorHouse programs and services go to www.favorhouse.org or call 850-434-1177.
