Families First teams up with animal shelters to help domestic violence victims

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Columbus County Animal Shelter and Families First of Columbus and Bladen counties have developed the Pets and Women’s Shelter (PAWS) program to give victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse a place to house their pet.

The emphasis of this program is to provide assistance for those suffering from domestic or sexual abuse by creating a place to safely house their family pet while the family is staying at the Family’s First shelter.

Families First provides a safe haven for women and children who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault in Columbus and Bladen Counties.  They provide a needed safe house for those who have suffered from this abuse, but the family can often be reluctant to leave their pets in the abusive situation.

According to a Families First spokesperson,  many victims stay in abusive homes for fear of subjecting their animals to continued abuse, if the pet were to be left behind. Animals are often left with their abusers to face torture or even death. The shelter will now be available to help these families by keeping their animals until a permanent safe home can be found for the family.

To help promote this partnership, the Animal Shelter will be holding an event with Families First. On November 29th,  Families First will have a fundraising lunch at the Columbus County Arts Council at 822 S Madison St in Whiteville. The fundraiser is being held to help raise funds to help pay for damage suffered in the flooding from Hurricane Matthew.  The adoption fee for any animal adopted that day will be donated to Families First to help with the flood related costs.

Families First’s office suffered from flooding during Hurricane Matthew and they lost 3 computers and hundreds of dollars in office supplies as well as empowerment and education materials. Their thrift store, Families Values, at 713 S Madison St in Whiteville lost about 70% of its merchandise.

The Shelter will also be at the Columbus Arts Council from 10 – 2 that day with adoptable cats, dogs, puppies and kittens, and adoption fees raised during the event will be donated to these flood relief efforts.

Chicken Salad plates will be $10 and should be ordered by 11/21 (www.familiesfirstnc.org/lunch) or by calling 910-840-6963. T-shirts for the event can be ordered at http://familiesfirstnc.org/Families_First_Inc/events.html