Health, Wellness and Fitness for People & Pets JUNE 2015 | Page 53

ANIMAL ABUSE and… VETERINARY MEDICINE
AVMA Endorses Federal Pet Protection Order Measure

The American Veterinary Medical Association is lending its support to unique bipartisan legislation that
would expand federal protections to the pets of victims of domestic violence.

The Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act (H.R. 1258) would assist domestic violence survivors who have
pets by making it a stalking-related crime to threaten a pet. The measure
would also provide grant funding to increase the availability of alternate
housing for pets of domestic violence victims, encourage states to provide
coverage for pets under protection orders, and require abusers who harm pets
to pay veterinary and other expenses incurred as a result.
By mid-April, the PAWS Act had 57 co-sponsors in Congress and the
endorsement of numerous domestic violence and animal welfare
organizations.
In announcing its support, AVMA quoted Maya Carless, Executive Director of the Animals & Society
Institute and a member of the National Link Coalition’s Steering Committee. “The PAWS Act represents
tremendous advancement in recognition that the abuse of animals in domestic violence threatens the
safety and well-being of animals and people alike,” said Carless, whose background with Georgia’s
Ahimsa House includes assisting domestic violence survivors to find housing for their animals.
“I have personally worked with hundreds of victims who escaped abusiv