ANIMAL LOVERS FROM CONNECTICUT TO MAINE HELP RAISE MONEY TO PROTECT ANIMALS OF ABUSE VICTIMS IN NEW JERSE

Funds raised help a new charity get off the ground.

Shelter Our Pets Co-President, Laura Mann
Tastefully Simple Representative, Ellen DiVietro
Shelter Our Pets Fundraising Co-Chair, Miri Upton

Between November 21st and December 10th of 2012, Shelter Our Pets teamed up with Tastefully Simple Representative Ellen DiVietro to host an online catalogue party featuring Tastefully Simple’s culinary products. Funds raised are being used to help cover start-up costs for the organization.

Shelter Our Pets is an all-volunteer nonprofit corporation with the mission 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 an abuse prone environment or continuing to subject themselves and their pets to abuse.

Lynn Gregorski-Bosi, a Trustee of Shelter Our Pets met DiVietro at a Tastefully Simple party at a friend's house.  Gregorski-Bosi mentioned the launch of Shelter Our Pets to DiVietro.  "I told her that we were a new organization that needed to raise funds for start-up costs.  Ellen immediately said she would help us out," said Gregorski-Bosi.

“Lynn and I immediately clicked and I loved the concept of what she was doing with Shelter Our Pets. I knew immediately I wanted to help and be a part of it. I love fundraising and helping people with their causes,” says DiVietro.

Shelter Our Pets and DiVietro ran the event through Facebook as a virtual party. The event was huge a success. As a team, they were able to raise $210.96 over the span of twenty days. Supporters throughout the Northeast ordered from Tastefully Simple to help support the new organization.

"I am so grateful to Ellen for running this virtual fundraiser for us,” says Gregorski-Bosi.  Laura Mann, another Trustee of Shelter Our Pets expressed the importance of the proceeds, stating "The funds will enable us to move forward with laying the necessary foundation for our organization to proceed with its very important work helping victims of domestic violence and their family pets break free from their abusers.” Mann also expressed sincere gratitude to DiVietro, “Thank you Ellen and Tastefully Simple for all of your support and your wonderful products!”

Victims of domestic violence not only have to ensure their own well being when caught in an abusive situation, but also the well being of their pets. According to The American Humane Association, approximately 71% of women report that their pet has either been threatened or injured during instances of domestic violence. 

For more information about Shelter Our Pets you can visit www.shelterourpets.blogspot.com or call 973-506-9696.

Source: http://www.americanhumane.org/interaction/support-the-bond/fact-sheets/animal-abuse-domestic-violence.html). 

Press Release: Shelter Our Pets provides aid and peace of mind for abuse victims

WEST MILFORD, NJ, OCTOBER 6, 2012--Fleeing an abusive situation is a difficult decision for victims of domestic abuse, and for some, the worry and fear that their pets will suffer abuse if left behind, complicates the decision to leave. Shelter Our Pets, Inc. an all -volunteer, non-profit corporation serving New Jersey, 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 when the victim considers the only source of comfort—a family pet—may have to be left behind, it 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.   If we can lift this one burden for the victim it may encourage the abuse victim to leave the situation, knowing the family pet will be safe.”

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.  

Kathleen Schatzmann, New Jersey state director for The Humane Society of the United States, said “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.”

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."

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.”

Investigation of animal abuse is often the first point of social services intervention for a family in trouble. In 2011, the NJ legislators passed a bill which 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.”

In addition to Mann and Gregorski-Bosi, Shelter Our Pets founding Trustees include Melissa Neiss, Director, Montclair Township Animal Shelter.