Pet Advocacy with BestyBnB: Removing Barriers to Crisis Services through Temporary Pet Placement 

While the majority of households have pets, only a small percentage of social services are accessible to pet owners. Individuals experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or in need of substance use or mental health treatment are frequently forced to make the challenging decision between seeking vital assistance and preserving their cherished companionship. BestyBnB aims to address this issue on a national scale by collaborating with social service agencies and animal welfare organizations.

BestyBnB is an online platform designed to empower agencies lacking prior pet experience or established pet programs to provide temporary placement for pets while their owner receives support. The platform also serves agencies with existing pet programs, offering them an avenue to expand their services. BestyBnB partners with agencies in 12 states and has provided over 4000 safe nights with a 100% reunification rate.

Throughout this presentation, participants will gain insights into the profound bond between trauma survivors and their pets. The session will further explore how BestyBnB can enhance accessibility to services, and provide guidance on implementing Pet Advocacy services within communities.

The Need for Pet-Inclusive Domestic Violence Shelters 

Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T)®, through its Founder/CEO Attorney Allie Phillips, created the movement to create on-site pet housing since the publication of the first written guidelines for domestic violence shelters in 2008. With 70% of American homes having at least one pet, and up to 65% of women delaying going into shelter because of concerns for their pets, the requests for pet-friendly sheltering is on the rise. Domestic violence shelters are overwhelmed with resource limitations and numerous important programs, the SAF-T Program helps with simplicity and to eliminate this barrier to safety.

In this presentation attendees will understand the research supporting the need for pet-friendly housing, how preserving the human-animal bond can help survivors with resiliency and healing, 4 different SAF-T housing models, how to receive sustainable financial support, how social workers can help to create a SAF-T Program in their community, and how to overcome common concerns such as allergies, fear of pets and lack of space for pet housing. Existing shelter pet housing programs will be featured.

Keeping families Together: How to Support Domestic Violence Survivors and Their Pets

Understanding and recognizing the link between domestic violence and pets is a critical component in supporting people and pets in crisis. Animals are more at-risk in homes where humans are being abused, and humans are more at-risk in homes where pets are being abused. A recent study by the Urban Resource Institute and the National Domestic Violence Hotline found that nearly half of domestic violence survivors reported worrying about the threat of harm to their pets, with 76% reporting noticeable changes in their pet’s behavior as a result of abuse (PALS Report, 2021).

Veterinary social workers hold a unique position and are likely to interact with both survivors and their pets at animal shelters, rescues, and veterinary clinics. Their role provides them with the opportunity to identify signs of potential abuse, respond to situations of crisis, and connect survivors to resources.

Helping survivors and their pets stay safe and together requires collaboration between human services, animal services, and veterinary services. When human and animal service providers communicate, share knowledge, and build relationships, people and pets in crisis gain increased access to care and disparities are reduced. This collaboration can be lifesaving as many survivors delay seeking shelter when they are unable to bring their pets with them. In fact, the PALS Report found that 97% of survivors reported keeping their pets with them was an important factor when deciding whether to leave an abusive home or seek safe shelter (PALS Report, 2021).

In this presentation, we will discuss the link between domestic violence and animal abuse and the role that veterinary social workers can play in supporting survivors and pets. Attendees will gain a strong understanding of what abuse can look like in pets, how abusers target pets, and the challenges that survivors with pets face when seeking assistance and resources.
Veterinary social workers will leave the presentation with tangible next steps on how to help people and pets in crisis, including how to respond to situations of domestic violence in the animal shelter and veterinary clinic, and who to connect with in their community to help support survivors and pets.