I'm the Director & Coordinator of Ferrets Across America, a rescue and transport network for ferrets. I've also spent over 10 years involved in animal rescue in various capacities from operating a ferret shelter during the 90's to assisting dog and cat rescues with everything from home visits to coordinating transports.

What many don't know is that I'm also a survivor of domestic abuse. I spent 16 years trapped and terrorized by my abusive now ex husband. Our pets became pawns to him. 'Things' to be used to gain further control of me, as threats or punishment. On numerous occasions, he had threatened to 'slit their throats'. I knew he would do it, too. His mental stability had been on a downward spiral during those 16 years, and he had no conscience...no guilt, no remorse. I knew this to be true because at one point he had taken two of my ferrets that were headed to the vet into the woods and had snapped their necks. I didn't find this out until years later. It devastated me and instilled even more fear in me. I had no place to go, and if there was a place I could go, my pets were not allowed. I had also been so incredibly alienated from my family and friends, that I had no local resources to turn to for help. I felt I couldn't leave.

Not long before I left (2 years ago), I had discovered some posts on a message board made by my husband about his desire to kill me. In his exact words, he “couldn't make the thoughts of killing me and burying me in a corn field go away”. We had a corn field directly behind our property at the time. At this point, I had no choice but to leave. I desperately scrambled for help getting my pets out. Thankfully, some friends came to my aid, and my pets left the same day my daughter and I did. And I haven't looked back since. I was so very lucky that day, and I will be forever grateful to them. Now, it's my turn to help, hence the creation of Paws For Courage. I'm hoping that Paws For Courage will give another option to those leaving domestic violence situations, who feel they can't leave because they fear for the safety of their pets. I'm hoping Paws For Courage will be a light of hope for those who are trapped by their abusers.

Nancy Propper
Founder & Executive Director
Paws For Courage