Protecting Pets In Domestic Violence

Olive is the precious furbaby of Sonia. When Sonia emailed our crisis advocate Kate, she was ready to escape her abusive boyfriend in South America. But she didnt want to leave without Olive!

Safety planning and fleeing abuse is hard but even more challenging with a pet. Her boyfriend worked at home during the pandemic and didn't allow Sonia to leave the house without him. But he would go out drinking at night and that is when she could escape.

The challenge was that Sonia needed to get Olive to the veterinarian for a checkup and a certificate of health to be able to fly home.

As part of Sonia's escape plan, the veterianarian agreed to see Olive at 9pm at night and agreed to waive any costs. We were able to help sonia aquire an airline approved carrier for Olive.

Finally, after so much planning and careful communication, the plan was executed. Sonia told us her heart felt like it was jumping out of her chest the whole time. When Sonia finally boarded a flight back home with Olive and they landed on US soil she could finally breathe again.

We can't express how thankful we are for you! Without your support we would be unable to get pets home safely away from abuse.

The Pathways Team

Without a doubt, the last two years have been challenging for all of us. The pandemic has changed the way we work, how we live, how our children go to school, kept us in isolation and often plunged us into financial hardship.

For battered American women & children, and their pets abroad, isolated at home with the abuser, abuse has increased an estimated three-fold. Providing support is difficult with the majority of support being conducted via email.

Travel restrictions have meant victims and their pets have had to endure so much abuse. With the pandemic coming to an end, we know we will be experiencing an influx of requests to help precious pets escape with their families back home to safety in the United States.

As always, Pathways will be available to help in any way we can to get pets home.

Thank you and we wish you and your families happiness, health and prosperity as we enter a New Year.

The Pathways' Team

Holly emailed Pathways explaining she was trying to leave her abusive fiance' and flee back home for safety with Elsa, her beloved companion. Holly was confused about how she could fly home with covid restrictions and how she could bring Elsa back home with her. And plan it all without her fiance' finding out.

A Pathways email advocate helped Holly understand what the travel rules for the country she was in regards to returning to the USA, and what the requirements were to bring Elsa with her.

With her abusive fiance' working from their home most of the time, Holly did her best to communicate by email with Pathways in secret. A Pathways advocate explained to Holly how to minimize the chance of her fiance' discovering their emails.

Finally, after several weeks, Holly is back home in the USA with Elsa! Elsa is loving living at Elsa's mom's house and has two other dogs to play with.

Without your support, advocacy, safety planning and emotional support to victims abroad would not be possible.

Thank you from the Pathways' Team, Holly, and of course, Elsa!

Titan's mom Madaline emailed Pathways with a heart breaking incident. Her abuser had booted Titan across the room in a fit of rage. Luckily, Titan didn't sustain any permanent injuries but Madeline was distraught. Her husband had been abusive to her, but kicking Titan? He was her baby.

A Pathways' advocate helped Madeline and, navigating covid travel restrictions, was able to assist Madeline's recent escape back home to safety with Titan. They are happy and settling back into Madeline grandparents home in the USA. Titan is the center of attention!

Without donors like you, protecting innocent victims of abuse like Titan would not be possible. Thank you so much for your care and support!

Paula Lucas

Founder

Skeeter is the well-loved, goofy fur baby of his human mom Enya. Enya desperately needed to escape the abuse of her husband and flee home to the USA but could not leave Skeeter behind.

A Pathways' advocate spent several weeks emailing back and forth with Enya providing resources, guidance, advocacy and emotional support. The pandemic complicated not only Enya fleeing home but also getting Skeeter home. Leaving the house was challenging as Enya's abusive husband was working remotely. Timing their departure was harrowing. Finally, a plan that was put into place was successful and Enya was able to return home safely with Skeeter.

Without donors like you, we would not have the staff available to assist American victims and their pets like Enya and Skeeter in their time of need. We truly appreciate your support of our mission.

The Pathways' Team.