OkcPets Magazine July 2021

July/August 2021 • OKC Pets 41 bring their animals into the program for up to two months. That timeframe enables them to have a new, fresh start without worrying about the safety of their furry family members. I have a waitlist for this service right now because we’ve seen quite an uptick in the demand,” says Crow. Crow notes some of the increasing demand may stem from situations relat- ed to the COVID-19 pandemic when so many were isolated. Nationwide domestic violence incidents rose by 8.1% during the pandemic, according to analysis released by the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice. Add to that the like- lihood that the Animal Advocacy Program will see even more demand for services given domestic violence incidents typically spike in summer months. “We’ve just seen the floodgates open in the last few weeks,” says Crow. In addition to providing temporary fostering services, the Animal Advocacy Program offers a range of other services designed to ease the path of clients with pets seeking safety from an abuser. “Typically, our clients lack financial resources, so we also have an on-site pantry for clients that provides food, leashes, col- lars and other necessities they might need for their animals once they’re reunited with them. We also offer veterinary assistance and ESA (emotional support animal) assis- tance,” says Crow. “Really, we do whatever we can to assist clients to safety. We know that approxi- mately 50% of domestic violence victims delay leaving their abuser for fear of what will happen to their animals. It just be- comes such a very real barrier to safety if we don’t have a place for their pets.” Crow hopes two initiatives currently underway will help reduce or eliminate the waitlist. Through a $30,000 grant received from a partnership between Purina and Red Rover, the Animal Advocacy Program has acquired a kennel that will serve as a temporary shelter for animals while they are waiting for fostering services. Red Rover is an animal welfare nonprofit that focuses on helping animals in crisis and on strengthening the human-animal bond. Crow anticipates the prefab kennel will become operational at an undisclosed location in Oklahoma City within the next few weeks. The second initiative is a cam- paign to recruit more foster homes for pets. “What we’re working on now is a social media and marketing push to get the word out about the program so people will sign up to foster. We’ll use all of our social media platforms, Palomar has put together signage for dog parks and businesses, and we have shirts to share, so we’ll network about the needs we have for this program,” says Crow. Those interested in providing a tempo- rary foster home for pets of domestic vio- lence victims can apply via an online form on the Palomar website at palomarokc.org/ animal-advocacy-program. Potential foster homes are processed through Oklahoma Humane Society’s regular foster program. The process includes vetting through an offender database, and then Crow sets up additional orientation specific to the Ani- mal Advocacy Program. The standard length of time for tem- porary fostering is usually two months al- though Crow said foster pets may occasion- ally need to stay a bit longer. Once a home begins fostering pets, Crow maintains close contact with the foster home and client. “To protect the animals, clients and foster families, everyone communicates through me. I’m the middleman. The foster family sends pictures and updates to me, and I share those with the client. We give animals protection names, and we work to create as much anonymity as possible so that an abuser will never be able to track down a pet or client. We really try to make it as safe as possible for everyone. We’re constantly in contact, essentially,” says Crow. Bull says some of the more significant and gratifying moments for the program come when clients reunite with their be- loved furry family members. Having been through a gauntlet that usually involves meeting with police, court appearances, living in unfamiliar places, such as a shelter, and a myriad of other details, being reunit- ed is a moment full of joy and meaning. “The greatest successes are when a client and pet are able to reunify after fostering, and they are both able to go home to safety. It is also incredible the vast array of types of animals we have been able to foster, every- thing from guinea pigs, goats, birds, snakes, you name it!” says Bull. “Reuniting is always the best. Clients are finally getting to a point where they may have housing and are getting some sense of a normal life back when they come in to be reunited with the animals,” says Crow. “There’s so much happiness, and every- body’s excited—the client, the animals. It’s just amazing to see clients rise above domestic violence and start a new life.” WANT MORE INFO? • Learn more at palomarokc.org or okhumane.org . • Interested in fostering? Join the foster network at palomarokc.org/animal- advocacy-program. • For other questions or to volunteer to help the program in other ways besides fostering, email advocacy@okhumane.org. Brittany Crow