Safe Haven Foster Program
Currently available through our Milwaukee Campus
The Wisconsin Humane Society Milwaukee Campus and Sojourner Family Peace Center have partnered to provide the Safe Haven program, which offers up to 60 days of shelter for animals from families affected by domestic violence.
Research finds that 75% of abused women who have companion animals report a history of their companion animal being threatened or intentionally harmed by their intimate partner*. Abusers often use animals as pawns to manipulate and control the survivor, taking advantage of the survivor’s concern for his or her animal. Abusers may threaten, harm, or kill animals to intimidate survivors, demand silence about the abuse, or prevent them from leaving.
Many survivors are unable to leave an abusive situation because they fear for their animal’s safety. The Safe Haven program makes it possible for survivors to leave an abusive relationship without losing their companion animal. Animals provide companionship, comfort, and unconditional love to survivors and their children affected by domestic violence, and preserving the bond between families and their animals is vitally important.
I need help. How do I get support?
- Milwaukee area residents: to enroll in the Safe Haven program, contact the Sojourner Family Peace Center at 414-933-2722
- Residents outside of Milwaukee: click here to find resources available near you
I want to help. How can I support the Safe Haven Program?
- Volunteer as a foster parent – Opening your home to an animal through the Safe Haven program not only provides a comfortable home environment for the animal, but also peace of mind for their family. Your generosity will help save lives – both human and animal. Find more information and apply here.
- Donate! You can make a contribution exclusively for Safe Haven here.
“Our friend Joe Pabst has been a driving force in our ability to offer this important program, and we’re so appreciative for his partnership. This program is one of the many ways we are able fulfill our mission of making a difference for animals AND the people who love them. We are grateful to the Sojourner Peace Center to help accomplish that, by offering families in these unthinkable situations a safe place for their pets while they find safety themselves.” -Alison Fotsch, WHS President & CEO
“I come from a family who love animals. One of my sisters was a victim of domestic violence and I believe that her pets were an obstacle in her ability to leave. They were very important to her. Despite our efforts and many interventions, we couldn’t save her. In the people the Safe Haven Foster Program helps, I see my sister. I see a survivor. I see a person with another chance.” -Joseph Pabst
*McDonald, S. E., Collins, E. A., Maternick, A., Nicotera, N., Graham-Bermann, S., Ascione, F. R., & Williams, J. H. (2019). Intimate Partner Violence Survivors’ Reports of Their Children’s Exposure to Companion Animal Maltreatment: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 34(13), 2627-2652. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260516689775
