Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/40669
Lawyers Pam Hart and Megan Senatori use their passion for animals to create a life-saving program for domestic abuse victims Th e phone call was almost a lifetime in the making. For 46 years, Louise* had endured verbal, emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her husband. But when he threat- ened to kill her dog, something changed. She knew she had to get out—but she didn't dare leave her dog behind and risk his life. She called Dane County's Domes- tic Abuse Intervention Services, seeking not just a safe place for herself, but for her pet. It was then she was connected to Shel- tering Animals of Abuse Victims—a group with a mission to provide the animals of abuse victims a safe place to land. And with the help of DAIS and SAAV, Louise and her dog found a path to a new life. Th e situation is far too common in tales of domestic abuse. Victims fear fl eeing without pets, knowing the animals will be subjected to neglect, torture or worse. Abusers, meanwhile, often exploit the victim's relationship with the animal, threatening to hurt the pet if they leave. It's a catch-22 in itself, but when victims do gather the strength to seek help, they fi nd themselves again with a choice: While local domestic abuse shelters can offer safety to humans, due to safety and health issues, they cannot take animals as well. Enter Pam Hart and Megan Senatori, and their nonprofi t, SAAV. A volunteer-run organization founded by the area lawyers (and best friends), SAAV provides free foster care to animals of abuse victims for up to 90 days. But, as the co-founders note, their services are about more than just caring for animals. "By helping pets you're helping humans. It's really a holistic approach to try and combat violence in our community," ex- plains Senatori. A Safe Place Th e pair teamed up to launch SAAV af- ter meeting as students at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Self-professed "pet people," they share a passion for animals and cite a brutal account of abuse told at a legal conference as the catalyst for launching SAAV. "We heard about a woman who was in [domestic abuse] shelter right here in Wis- consin. [She found out] her husband cut her dog's ears off with garden shears and threatened [that if she] didn't leave the shelter, [he] was going to kill the dog," Senatori explains. "People have had to make this choice of staying in abusive situations to save their pet or leave knowing [their pets may] be abused, killed or tortured," Hart adds. To them, the choice victims in their own community were facing was unacceptable. Th e idea for SAAV was born. "We did a survey of what was lacking in Dane County and the link between do- mestic violence and animal cruelty seemed to be where there was the most need," Hart recalls. Since being launched in 2003, the service has placed over 100 animals into temporary (and confi dential) care across more than 40 local foster homes. While the animals— ranging from hamsters and iguanas to goats and horses, along with cats and dogs—are away, their owners receive their own shel- ter and help through DAIS. Once they've secured a new home in a safe environment, the pet and owner are reunited. But while SAAV has played a part in helping many abuse victims start a new chapter in their lives, the need for these kinds of services isn't likely to let up, es- pecially in troubled economic times. As Resources That Care Whether you or an animal are a victim of abuse, local services can help Domestic Abuse Intervention Services 24-hour help line (608) 251-4445 or toll-free (800) 747-4045; abuseintervention.org. National Domestic Violence Hotline Call (800) 799-SAFE or (800) 799-7233. Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims If you are in need of services through SAAV, contact the Domestic Abuse Intervention Services 24-hour help line, (608) 251-4445 or (800) 747-4045. To volunteer with SAAV, visit saavprogram.org. To report a neglected, abused or injured animal: Contact Animal Services at (608) 255-2345. If your pet is missing: Contact the Dane County Humane Society at (608) 838-0413. August 2011 bravamagazine.com 61 noted by DAIS Director of Services Kristin Burki, whenever the economy starts to falter, abuse in the home tends to rise. Last year, DAIS provided shelter for 524 women and children and received 4,579 crisis line calls, and they continue to see a demand for victims needing the help of SAAV. Meanwhile, the full-time lawyers haven't let up their efforts to help animals in other ways, teaching courses at law schools in Wisconsin and Illinois on animals rights and cruelty. Th eir goal is to push future generations to consider tougher laws and more services to protect animals. Al- though, unlike many other organizations, SAAV doesn't hope the services at their organization will have to expand. "It would be great to live in a world where these services aren't needed," Senatori says. *Name changed at her request. By Kailey Bender to Land Pam Hart and Megan Senatori Photo by Adam Senatori