Saratoga Springboard welcomes Maggie Fronk, Executive Director of Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis (DVRC) Services of Saratoga County, as a special guest blogger for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Please read on to learn how domestic violence affects every member of the family, including the family pet, and consider joining DVRC on October 22nd for their first inaugural Purple Pooch Parade for DV Awareness!

Raise your paws against abuse during Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

In a family with domestic violence, every household member is affected by the abuse, and that includes our furry family members. Abusers often use the love we have for our pets as a tool of coercion. In a national study of domestic violence survivors who were in shelter, 71% of those who owned pets reported that their abuser had threatened or injured the family pet. Many domestic abuse victims are afraid to leave the abusive home because they fear retaliation against their beloved pets.

That’s the sad reality, but there’s hope and help right here in Saratoga County. In 1999, Leadership Saratoga assisted DVRC in creating an innovative resource to help victims of domestic violence (both pets and humans) break free from abuse. DVRC’s Safe Pet Partnership provides temporary, loving foster homes and medical treatment to pets while the family is in shelter. Once the family has exited the abuse, they are all reunited to begin a violence-free future together.

Our goal a DVRC is to END abuse! We feel that no woman, man, child or pet should live in fear at home. Won’t you (and your favorite pooch!) join us to increase awareness and help us make Saratoga County free of domestic abuse?