Hi ladies,

I need some help with a rather sensitive topic. I am in the process of writing an article for a national magazine on how domestic violence affects pets and how often a woman's need to protect her pet from abuse will prevent her from leaving the abuser.

What I need is some anecdotal information from women who have been through something like this. I know it's a sensitive topic but I feel that anecdotal information will make the piece stronger.

If you have been thru something like this and would be willing to go on record with your experiences that may end up in a national publication (I say may because it is on spec) then please contact me for a phone interview. Email me directly at k_stone@bellsouth.net

Thanks,
Kelly

Brought this one back as it was sadly overlooked. This is an all too often happening. Here in Vegas they have just opened the first Crisis Center Shelter that accepts pets as well as the mom and kids. It is fixed up so nice for the pet and they can be near the family too. We have seen pets abused even tortured and killed by the abuser after his family escapes to freedom. This is such an traumatic time for the children as it is...super topic Kelly..

I corresponded with Kelly regarding this topic, and she has submitted her article. Chatty, I am disgusted by how animals are abused. I can't even think about it. But I am encouraged by the number of animal shelters that are arising in conjunction with family violence. I have a friend who works at a shelter. Since there was no coordination with the animal shelters, my friend would take dogs and cats to her own home for safe keeping. In CO Springs, there is a foster care program for the pets, too. Thank goodness. LLL

The link between animal abuse and future violence toward humans has been proven time and again. The US Dept of Justice put out stats a few years ago that said that over 80% of violent offenders in our prison systems had a history of abusing and torturing animals as kids or young adults. My opinion is that the reason this statistic isn't taken more seriously is because animals in general are not afforded their inherent rights to be free of abuse and suffering. Only until that happens will we see a change in how violence toward animals and humans is handled in our world. Gandhi said it-- how a society treats its animals speaks volumes about the people within that society (that's a paraphrase).

Kelly

Makes me want to take them all home and put them under my wing.

Here in Phoenix we see people on the news who have 90 PLUS animals in their homes. I won't describe the smell or what the cameras showed up but you can only imagine.

Too sad!

Teresa

They call those people horders and although they mean well this is a form of animal cruelty at its worst. Here in Vegas I have helped remove hundreds of poor animals being kept in crowded, filthy conditions and here, its a jailable offense. I am a foster mom for injured/abused/or lost animals and never have more than 6 or 7 at a time. My home is literally spotless and so are the animals and they eat better than most people. Hopefully someday we may have no more animal or child abuse, maybe in a better life.

Changing gears a little bit. My publisher had been forwarding letters to me from a woman in the south, complete with pictures and rambling letters. I don't know what she wants but dropped her a short note, asking how I could help. She sends at least one letter a week to my publisher. She isn't with the abuser anymore. Kind of making me nervous. She looks a little crazy in the pictures. She's sent me copies of her marriage certificate, child's birth certificate, drivers license, ss card, etc. Lynn, have you had this type of experience?

Hi Dianne, wow, this is crazy. Sure, I got emails, but not through the publisher since I am print-on-demand. I wish I had a publisher to cover for me. Readers go to my web site to email me. No, I have not had this kind of on-going contact. Why would she send you so much identifying information? That is so weird! I'd send it back with a note saying that you are not comfortable keeping personal id stuff. And refer her to a national DV hotline. I'll PM this reply since I know you will be gone for a few days. Where are you going this time? Love and Light, Lynn

Yup, she's off and running again!

Since Lynn is gone until the 18th I'll jump in and say, "run." This woman is stalking you in a whole nuther way. I would distance myself and ask your publisher to NOT forward or accept anymore stuff from this individual she sounds like a wacko to me.