SAN ANTONIO - – Many domestic violence victims struggle to leave dangerous relationships, often because they don’t want to leave a pet behind — a reason several people don’t think of.
That’s why Family Violence Prevention Services wants the community to know that the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter now has a dog kennel.
Staff members have heard firsthand that survivors don’t leave because their abuser has threatened the animal.
Felisha Ruiz, lead monitor for the Battered Women and Children Shelter, said there have been times when it has become an issue.
“That, you know, ‘If you don’t come back, you know, X, Y and Z is going to happen to the animal,’” Ruiz said.
Ruiz, who works directly with the survivors in crisis, said they heard enough that they decided to invest in a kennel on the shelter’s campus.
“We ask questions as part of the assessment, including if they have an animal. We do, of course, ask them several questions like the breed, the age, updated vaccinations,” Ruiz said.
The kennel, which usually houses several dogs at once, is currently empty, which serves as a reminder for staff to let the public know the service is available.
The shelter wants the public to know that weather is never an issue. The kennel is equipped with a thermostat for heating and air conditioning.
“If they need bowls, you know, for food and water, we have that here, leashes, we provide the food for them,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz said sometimes, when multiple dogs are in the kennel simultaneously, they will become friends.
The company is special for dogs who have come from the same abusive environment as their survivor owner.
“It makes them comfortable,” Ruiz said.
The dogs can’t be inside the shelter rooms, but clients can come to see them anytime during daylight hours and even take them off-site with them.
“We’ll see them in the camera where they’re walking them with their leash and stuff, and it’s great. And it makes the clients happy,” Ruiz said.
It’s special for the staff to see the survivors and dogs recover together, leading to success stories where they leave the shelter and begin again, side by side.
While the kennel is only open to dogs right now, Ruiz said a space for cats is currently in the works.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, there is help for you. KSAT has a list of resources on its Domestic Violence webpage, which also explains how to identify different types of abuse.
If it’s an emergency, text or call 911. For wrap-around services including the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter, call Family Violence Prevention Services at (210) 733-8810.
You can also contact the Bexar County Family Justice Center, which also provides wrap-around services at (210) 631-0100.