Recognize The Link®.
Prevent Violence in All Its Forms

 

Until our next issue . . .   Keep the spirit of American Humane’s Tag Day™, April 3, going year-round. Tag and microchip or tattoo your pets. Then spread the word to others with new Lori Faye Bock Tag Day cards and posters -- the 2004 poster is available now! Celebrate Be Kind to Animals Week®, May 2 to 8. Find the purr-fect companion at your local shelter. June is Adopt-A-Cat Month®! Make plans to attend Conference 2004, Sept. 27 and 28, in Philadelphia register by June 28 for Early Bird Savings! Help us keep in touch with you --make sure you’re registered with your current home/business and e-mail addresses.

 

In Alabama, a man is arrested on animal cruelty charges for slitting the throat of his girlfriend’s Rottweiler. In California, a woman calls a domestic violence shelter. Her husband is battering her and her children but she fears leaving without her two cats that are also being abused regularly. In Colorado, neighbors contact authorities about a terrible odor coming from a nearby home. Inside are found dozens of neglected, abused, and dead dogs and cats, and an emaciated 12-year-old girl.

These are the stories that grab headlines every day across the country. They clearly demonstrate The Link® the connection between violence to animals and humans. Children who abuse animals are frequently victims of violence themselves. And adults who abuse animals often are violent toward others in the home, including children. This connection shows that the protection of children and animals are not mutually exclusive missions and that the effective protection of one vulnerable group cannot occur without the effective protection of the other.

As the United States’ only national organization dedicated to the protection of both children and animals, American Humane is at the forefront of identifying and addressing the connection between animal abuse and human violence through rigorous research, advocacy, professional training seminars, and innovative public awareness and violence prevention efforts. By implementing these programs and with critical support from you we are working to put an end to the shockingvheadlines of child and animal abuse.

How You Can Make a Difference for a Child or Animal in Need

1. Reach out. Talk to a parent who may be struggling with a child or pet. Offer to baby-sit or dog walk. Offer to run an errand or just be there to listen. You may help diffuse a potentially explosive situation.

2. Tell others. Talk to members of your community groups, religious organizations, youth groups, and schools about The Link. Contact us for free information to share with others.

3. Get involved. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and May is National Foster Care Month. See what local events are happening in your community and look for volunteer opportunities. Read American Humane’s Fact Sheet Guidelines for Helping Children Experiencing Abuse or Neglect.

4. Speak up. Talk and write to your government representatives. Let them know that animal abuse is often a “red flag” for other types of abuse. Support legislation that requires animal and child welfare workers to cross-report abuse. Advocate for tougher animal abuse laws. Support legislation that promotes zero tolerance for all forms of violence. Click here to get informed.

5. Report! All you need to make a report is reasonable suspicion or belief that abuse or neglect is occurring. To report suspected child abuse, contact your local child protective services agency, which might be called Social Services, Children and Family Services, or Human Welfare. To report suspected animal abuse, contact your local animal control agency or humane society. If you feel that the situation is an emergency, however, call your local law enforcement agency immediately.