| 22 | FURRY FRIENDS 2023 NEXT DOORS “People understand the connection in the human-animal bond, and they want to try to keep pets and people together.” organizations that aid individuals and families working to escape domestic abuse. “We’ve worked with domestic violence for almost 15 years,” she said. “We were one of the first organizations in the nation to have that kind of experience. Even with our temporary care program, we were the first in the nation to have that program. Now, we help organizations around the country start the program up and give them advice.” Funding is always an issue for nonprofits, as is inflation — both from a payroll standpoint and the literal price of dog food, which Polanski said has gone up dramatically over the past few years. “Our mission is helping people and pets in crisis,” she said. “We’re helping the most vulnerable people and pets in our society, and that’s an expensive endeavor. It’s not the easy cases that come and go — it’s the domestic violence victims, it’s the homeless, people who are really in crisis.” But Polanski said there’s been a great deal of progress in the animal rescue world since she began working in it 15 years ago. “There are a lot more resources now than there were in 2008, and a lot more understanding about the human-animal bond,” she said. “This idea has come into a great place in animal welfare and among human welfare agencies and government agencies. People understand the connection in the human-animal bond, and they want to try to keep pets and people together.” To learn more, visit lostourhome.org .

At New Life Center, pets reside in the casita with families — not boarded in a separate kennel area — and freely play in New Life Center’s dog park. 50% of assault survivors reportedly delay or refuse to leave a dangerous situation for fear of what could happen to a beloved pet left behind, so welcoming pets eliminates a substantial barrier to seeking safety. New Life Center needs your help, so we can continue to help others. DONATE TODAY BY SCANNING THE QR CODE! newlifectr.org ONLY 3% OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS WELCOME PETS — NEW LIFE CENTER IS ONE