The Purple Paw Project continues to expand and grow. FOAU never expected to play the role of teacher when we opened our doors to victims escaping domestic abuse situations, but that’s exactly where we find ourselves almost one year later. For example, veterinarians are starting to play a larger role in the reporting of abuses of all kinds. They are learning to look for warning signs of cruelty in pets. If there is a household where many animals live but none ever reach adulthood, then flags are raised. A more obvious sign is injuries to pets that don’t match up to the story being told by the pet owner.
Dogs and cats are the silent victims. We have begun working with local enforcement agencies to educate them not only about the program but how to look for more subtle signs of animal abuse. One dog currently in the program is terrified of men. She cowers and whines if a man just enters the room. Not every wound bleeds, but they all leave
scars. Through patient work and loving care, the Purple Paw Project is healing the bodies and minds of this gentle
soul and others like her. We see new families every month requiring shelter from harm. As they enter our embrace, we offer not only medical care, healthy meals, and a safe, warm place to sleep, but freedom from harm. For every dog and cat, we are the first gentle touch they have felt in months or even years.
One of the last women to use our services cried when she picked up her dog. She left him a scared, subdued puppy. She returned almost three months later to a playful, social companion who barked and licked her face,
running and engaging with other people and pets. “ I can’t believe this is my baby! It’s a miracle! You gave us both back our lives! “
The Purple Paw Project reaches across the state of Utah and into the dark corners where violence hides.
We offer hope in the form of assistance to families seeking safety from abusers who would threaten not only them and their children but their pets as well. Every day we open our doors to a pet damaged by domestic violence, we come one step closer to ending this awful cycle.
Lisa Allison
Executive Director, Friends of Animals Utah
When the Purple Paw Project began earlier this year, we were predominantly serving northern Utah, but we quickly started taking calls from around the state once shelters were aware of the service. In October, we received our first call from the southeastern US asking for help. Leaving at night, the family was coming to Utah with very little
information, just in a hurry to be out of their current danger. Not only were we able to assist with taking
the pet to safety, we had information on several shelters for the family, as well.
Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. Our clients come from all walks-of-life, their pets both dogs and cats, large and small, young and old. We know the important role pets play in our lives and the families we meet do, too. They tell us, “ The project is awesome!; I’m so relieved to know my pet is safe now.; and It makes me happy to see how happy my pet is staying with you! “ We try to maintain as much normalcy as we can for everyone during the average 30 - 60 day stay. Visitation is allowed, and updates via phone calls are given.
Many of these pets have never been vaccinated or seen a veterinarian recently for wellness checks. The Purple Paw Project fund pays for all their medical needs, both routine and serious. Past pets have been spayed and neutered, received care for pneumonia, and ulcerative eye disease, all free to the family, to name but a few of the treatments.
The Purple Paw Project NEVER turns a family in crisis away. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to shelters and families. We serve the voiceless victims because it’s never too early to speak up and reach out.
Lisa Allison
Executive Director, Friends of Animals Utah
We continue to be touched by the many lives we encounter through the Purple Paw Project. Women who for
years have known no kindness or affection other than from their pet, finally are given the ability to escape and begin again. Safety is assured for all family members.
Meet Dog “S”. He came to us quiet, withdrawn, and in distress. Upon examination, it was discovered he had a serious ulcer in one of his eyes. Without treatment, he would become increasingly painful and certainly go blind.
Gentle, appropriate, veterinary care healed his vision and saved the eye. While recovering with us, his family was given the necessary time to care for themselves. The seed of hope takes only a moment to be planted.
Women’s Shelter staff in querying those who call are finding an increasing need for this type of support. “ Without asking the question we just didn’t know the true level of requirement that existed until the program became
available “ While the pets in the program at any one time are never consistent from month to month, they are
consistently growing. The Purple Paw Project continues to expand, acting as a model for like-minded groups. Everyone knows someone affected by domestic violence. The victims, like the signs, aren’t always obvious.
Lisa Allison
Executive Director, FOAU
