Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Shelter Our Pets Nonprofit Seeks Artisan Vendors and Sponsors for Upcoming Holiday Bazaar and Craft Fair




Shelter Our Pets, Inc., P.O. Box 564, Montvale, NJ 07645, ShelterOurPets.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
LYNN GREGORSKI
973-506-9696


Shelter Our Pets Nonprofit Seeks Artisan Vendors and Sponsors for
Upcoming Holiday Bazaar and Craft Fair

September 16, 2013 - Shelter Our Pets, a New Jersey nonprofit whose mission is to provide a safe haven for the pets of victims of domestic violence who are fleeing their abusive situations, will be hosting a Holiday Bazaar and Craft Fair on Saturday, November 16th, featuring local artisans with unique, one-of-a-kind wares, including jewelry, accessories, and home decor. The event, hosted in conjunction with GFWC Paskack Junior Woman's Club, will take place at the Tice’s Senior Center in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey from 10am to 4pm.

The event will also feature a 50/50 raffle. Tickets will be for sale at the event and will be sold in advance for $10/each. Persons need not be present to win.  

Shelter Our Pets is currently accepting artisans and sponsors for the event.  The vendor table fee is $75 and sponsorships are $150.  Participating artisans include Sequin Garden Jewels, My Heart Works, and RMN Handmade Brushes.

Shelter Our Pets Holiday Bazaar is sponsored by D’s Grooming Shop in Hillsdale, New Jersey.

For more information, please visit ShelterOurPets.org or email  fundraising@shelterourpets.org.


ABOUT SHELTER OUR PETS:
Shelter Our Pets is an all-volunteer nonprofit corporation. Our mission is to provide a safe haven for the pets of victims of domestic violence who are fleeing their abusive situations. Shelter Our Pets assists people seeking safety from violence by providing alternatives to giving up a beloved pet, leaving a pet behind in a potentially dangerous situation or continuing to subject themselves and their pets to abuse. Shelter Our Pets, Inc. provides temporary shelter, medical care, and behavioral rehabilitation for the animals of domestic abuse victims.

“The decision to leave a batterer is extremely difficult, and a number of factors come in to play. The need to leave a beloved pet behind only complicates an already emotional decision,” said Lynn Gregorski-Bosi, a founder of Shelter Our Pets. “Many domestic violence shelters cannot provide shelter for a family pet, as well as the victim.   It is for this reason we founded the organization and created the SOP Foster Sponsorship Program.”

The funds will be applied specifically to costs of temporary boarding, medical care, food and supplies for the pets of domestic violence victims participating in our program. Your donation gives survivors an alternative to surrendering their pets or remaining in a potentially dangerous situation.

“The Humane Society of the United States applauds Shelter our Pets for protecting all victims of domestic violence by allowing the victims to leave an abusive situation knowing their pets are in a safe place.” said Kathleen Schatzmann, New Jersey state director for The Humane Society of the United States.



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Shelter Our Pets, Inc., P.O. Box 564, Montvale, NJ 07645, ShelterOurPets.org

BACKGROUNDER


Domestic violence and animal abuse are not mutually exclusive according to the American Humane Association. In fact, one becomes fodder for the other. For example, 71 % of pet-owning women entering shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 32% reported their children had hurt or killed animals in response to abuse situations.

Psychological control is often the motive of a batterer, and pets can be used very effectively. Statistics from the American Humane Association show 68% of battered women reported violence towards their animals, with 87% of these incidents occurring in the presence of the victim and 75% in the presence of the children.

Between 25% and 40% of battered women are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets or livestock should they leave. Further, the Association found, pets may suffer unexplained injuries, health problems, permanent disabilities at the hands of abusers, or disappear from home.

According to Shelter Our Pets founding member Laura Mann, Esq., "In the short term we want abuse victims to know we will be there to take care of the animals; over the long-term, we hope to be able to offer a facility where the survivors and their pets can remain together safely, while they break free from their lives of abuse. We seek to fill the gap in addressing this unmet need of survivors to hopefully play a small role in breaking the cycle of abuse and the torture of animals that also endure the cruelty of these abusers."

Investigation of animal abuse is often the first point of social services intervention for a family in trouble.

Beatriz Wawra, Director of Crisis Services at Shelter Our Sisters, which provides aid and shelter to abused women, added, “Shelter Our Pets is a much needed service that will benefit victims of domestic violence. We have had calls, wherein the caller wants to know if it is considered domestic violence when a partner is hurting a family pet after an argument. My answer is ‘yes’.  This behavior can escalate to a more dangerous situation for the victim.”

In 2011, the NJ legislators passed a bill that permits the court to include animals in domestic violence restraining orders.   NJ Senator Thomas Kean Jr. said, “While the new law provides legal shelter for the victims of domestic abuse and their pets, this new volunteer service will provide actual shelter for these animals, thus ensuring that domestic abuse victims no longer have to choose between leaving their home for safety and protecting their beloved pets.  I am so pleased that Shelter Our Pets has recognized the void that existed in this area, and has worked toward providing a much-needed resource in the effort to protect victims of domestic abuse. “
NJ Assemblywoman, Connie Wagner, who co-sponsored the bill in the Assembly said, “The public has become far more aware of the horrors some pets face at the hands of abusive spouses and partners.  I applaud the work of Shelter Our Pets and other organizations as they provide services for at-risk pets that are being protected under the new law.”

For information or assistance in sheltering pets, please contact, Lynn Gregorski-Bosi at 973-506-9696.


ABOUT SHELTER OUR PETS
Shelter Our Pets is an all-volunteer nonprofit corporation. Our mission is to provide a safe haven for the pets of victims of domestic violence who are fleeing their abusive situations. Shelter Our Pets assists people seeking safety from violence by providing alternatives to giving up a beloved pet, leaving a pet behind in a potentially dangerous situation or continuing to subject themselves and their pets to abuse. Shelter Our Pets, Inc. provides temporary shelter, medical care, and behavioral rehabilitation for the animals of domestic abuse victims.

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Sunday, September 15, 2013

HOLIDAY BAZAAR AND CRAFT FAIR FUNDRAISER


BENEFITING SHELTER OUR PETS

WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE GFWC PASKACK JUNIOR WOMAN’S CLUB!

Saturday, November 16th, 10am-4pm
Woodcliff Lake Senior Center
Tices Corner Marketplace, Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Mark your calendar for a holiday craft fair featuring local artisans selling handmade jewelry, home decor and unique gifts. The event will be held at the Woodcliff Lake Senior Center, located right in the heart of Tices Corner Marketplace.
Su card 1   VintageInspiredTasselChandelier   IMG_1984   IMG_2878
If you are a local crafter or artisan, you can participate in this exciting event!  There are two options available:

VENDOR TABLE $75

  • All proceeds of sales goes directly to the vendor.
  • A great way to reach and provide information to new customers in our area.
  • Raffle prize to be drawn the day of event.

EVENT SPONSORSHIP $150VintagePendantNecklace2

  • Includes a vendor table.
  • Your logo on all Shelter Our Pets event promotion, including our website and email marketing.
  • Your business name and sponsorship included in all press releases.
  • Sponsorship position on ShelterOurPets.org for one year (through 12/31/14).
Have an item to donate? Shelter Our Pets will also have a donated merchandise sale table.
For more information please contact us at fundraising@shelterourpets.org or call 973-506-9696.

YOUR PARTICIPATION WILL HELP SHELTER OUR PETS FULFILL OUR MISSION TO PROTECT AND SHELTER ANIMALS OF ABUSE SURVIVORS!


PARTICIPATING VENDORS:  

THE HOLIDAY BAZAAR IS SPONSORED BY:

DGSHome




Shelter Our Pets, Inc. is an all-volunteer New Jersey nonprofit corporation serving the entire state and beyond.
Shelter Our Pets
P.O. Box 564
Montvale, NJ 07645

Phone: 973-506-9696
Contact us by email at info@shelterourpets.org