CASDA holds ‘Paw’sitive Project event, raising awareness for pets in domestic abuse situations

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse, also known as CASDA, held an event on Friday to raise awareness for pets in domestic abuse situations.

The ‘Paw’sitive Project event raised awareness about the correlation between domestic violence and animal abuse, highlighting that a large percentage of victims report harm to their pets, which may prevent them from leaving abusive situations.

With October being National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the first time event focuses on an often overlooked part of domestic abuse.

CASDA partnered with other local organizations such as Safe Haven and PAVSA for the event.

“It’s reported about 71% of people that enter shelters have reported that their pet has been harmed, killed or in some way shape or form, and that’s a big barrier that we’ve seen as to why people stay in those situations and won’t leave because they don’t know what’s going to happen with their pets,” said Brenna Follis, CASDA Domestic Abuse Program Coordinator.

CASDA provides supportive services for those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

The hope is the Paw’sitive Project event becomes an annual October tradition.