Safe Havens for Pets in Domestic Violence Relationships

Safe Havens: Protecting Pets from the Chaos of Domestic Violence

Interview with Orazie Cook – Founder of Praline’s Corner

Orazie Cook is the CEO and President of Praline’s Backyard Foundation. The mission is centered around providing safe and temporary housing for the pets of domestic violence survivors during their transition. In her work, Orazie is consistently encountering situations filled with emotional chaos, overwhelm, and anxiety. The decision for survivors to leave their unsafe environments is complex, especially when the safety of their beloved pets is concerned. Our foundation plays a pivotal role in alleviating some of this chaos by ensuring their pets are cared for, allowing survivors to focus on their own safety and healing.

Introduction

A lived experience of domestic violence. Volunteered on a Domestic Violence Hotline and at the Humane Society. Orazie combined both of these experiences to create something that helped DV survivors find homes for their pets while they were in transition

“People struggle with Domestic Violence for a variety of different reasons, but I didn’t want them to struggle because of lack of housing for their pets.”

Partnering with existing pet-boarding facilities to find homes for pets of those affected by DV

1. What to do if you are a victim of DV and have a pet

• Take the pet with you when you leave the DV situation

• Praline’s Corner will pay for pet boarding for the first 7 days while a foster is found

• Praline’s corner will support the foster for up to 6 months with boarding

2. How does Orazie find the energy to do all this…and thank you!

• “The energy comes from the stories I receive”

• Stories of abuse and / or assault and regret of leaving their pet(s) behind

• Survivors are grateful for the resource Orazie is giving to DV survivors for their pets

• Helping people find information and transcend silence and shame around DV

3. Orazie’s Lived Experience of an abuser – Her own Mom

• She melded the lived experience of abuse with her love and passion for animals to form Praline’s Corner

4. What is Domestic Violence

• When anyone uses a weapon (physical, mental, emotional, financial) against you to hurt you

• “Abuse of Power”

5. What do we do with a pet if faced with Domestic Violence and I want to leave home? (All kinds of pets apply!)

• Pre-Planning Package

• Have a copy of pet’s vaccination history (to provide them with housing)

• pralinesbackyardfoundation.org and fill out the “Survivor Form” and give information on form

• They protect the anonymity of the pet and the survivor

Mission: “To eliminate barriers for DV survivors to providing housing for their pets”

Website: www.pralinesbackyardfoundation.org

Instagram: @pralines_backyard

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pralinesback...

#pets #domesticviolencesurvivor #safetyfirst