Pets are Family, Too

When I was in law school, a classmate told me about a program she was starting that would find temporary foster homes for the pets of domestic violence survivors who were trying to escape their abusers. My first thought was, "Wow! How have I never thought of that before?" My second thought was, "I need to be a part of this."

After I graduated, I moved to Chicago, took the bar exam, and waited (impatiently) for my results to come in and for someone to give me a job. Meanwhile, I kept thinking about this program. I began reaching out to domestic violence and animal welfare professionals in Chicago, and learned that they were eager to work with me on a solution. The rest, as they say, is history!

The Safe Haven Network (SHN) is my baby, my "pet" project. I am blessed beyond comprehension to have a great team of dedicated volunteers and a supportive and engaged board of directors who are helping SHN become an integral member of the community. My work is dedicated to the thousands upon thousands of families whose pets provide them the strength and compassion to survive another day of abuse.