Hospice and women's shelters, common ground

Hospice for pets and women's abuse centers may find a common ground in support of families at risk.

American Humane, (http://www.americanhumane.org/) the nation's oldest charitable organization advocating for children and animals has developed The Pets and Women’s Shelters Program (PAWS)™. We talked to Allie Phillips, director of public policy for American Humane and creator of PAWS who said the organization started PAWS because she, like many of her colleagues, frequently witnessed the pain victims go through when they are forced to stay in abusive situations because they fear for their pets’ safety.

For Paws Hospice and a coalition of local business leaders and supporters is working now to introduce the PAWS program to women's shelters in FL.

You can read more about the PAWS program at American Humane/PAWS (http://www.americanhumane.org/human-animal-bond/programs/pets-and-womens-shelters/). The association also offers a program guide for starting the PAWS program at your local shelter.