Paws For Courage is a national network of shelters (existent animal shelters), foster homes, and transporters that will be at the ready and waiting to assist those leaving a domestic violence situation. At times, they made need to take action in 24 hours or less due to the unpredictable nature and timing of such situations. Each case will be different from the next. There will be one (or more) main contacts in each state that will get the ball rolling...these state contacts are the individuals that will be contacted by the domestic violence shelters or organizations or by the individuals needing help. Their job is probably one of the most important. Communication is a great factor in all of this, but their communication is the key....without their communication, an animal or human may die, or another person will have to prolong living with an abuser because they can't leave (which puts them at an even higher degree of danger).
Transporters will be responsible for picking up the animal....probably at a neutral meeting place or at the domestic violence shelter....then transporting to the nearest safe haven in our network. It's all dependent on the situation. Whatever is the safest for both the individual, the animal(s) and the person picking up the animals. Most pick ups of the animals will *not* be picked up from the actual home where the abuser resides, unless there is extenuating circumstances for doing so...and if such a need arises, then police assistance will need to be called in. Domestic violence situations can be some of the most dangerous and unpredictable police officers will encounter, so we will take any and all necessary precautions to keep *all* involved safe.
How long an animal is fostered depends on several factors...how long the individual fostering has agreed to foster an animal, when the domestic violence survivor is able to take them back, etc. How long anyone who volunteers as a foster can keep an animal is up to them...there is no set amount of time they must keep an animal. Keep in mind, if you plan on volunteering as a foster, you may have to deal with animals with behavioral issues (fear, trauma) and/or medical issues. So be prepared. I'm not trying to scare anyone off, just laying it all out on the table so there are no surprises later on. There is a certain amount of risk in joining this organization, obviously. Abusers become very irate when they discover their victim is planning on leaving, or has already left. Many will go to extremes to find them or to places they think they might be. If they happen to come across a phone #, they'll call it; if they find an address, they'll go there.
That's why confidentiality is a BIG factor in this...without a high amount of confidentiality, there would be no point in even starting an organization like this. Confidentiality is a MUST...no ifs, ands or buts. When anyone joins this organization they must agree to our confidentiality agreement. This states (in short) that any information they receive from the domestic violence shelter/org, or the individual (or from our own organization) is not to be shared in any way, shape or form. They are not to discuss details, the animals they are fostering, or the individuals they are dealing (or have dealt) with. Doing so could potentially put those involved in danger...it could cost someone their life. I take the confidentiality factor very seriously; those who do not follow it will be immediately removed from our network and may face criminal charges. The animals we serve and care for will be in a 'protective care' of sorts. Think of it as the Witness Protection Program, only for pets.
Do you have the heart, strength, desire, and courage to join our cause? We need you; the animals need you, and so do the survivors of domestic violence.
You may volunteer in any capacity you'd like, and in as many different positions as you are willing to help with. Below is a list of volunteer positions we are needing to fill. Each position has it's own application, so be sure to fill out one for each that you are interested in. If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer in a capacity that is not listed here, please send us an e-mail and let us know!
Click on any of the areas that interest you for an application and/or more information.