Summary of findings for the Link Action Research Project for Leadership and Change in an Innovative Society course at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. April 2009.

1. LINK ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT TEAM (LARPT)
Leadership and Change in an Innovation Society April 28, 2009
PA 5103/MLS IS 5100
Lisa Horn, Jody LaCourt, Pat Reeder, Lorna Reichl, Adepeju Solarin, Nathan Volz
Introduction
The “link” is described as the inter-relationships between the abuse of children, adults and
animals. Victims of domestic violence may not report abuse or seek shelter if they cannot
ensure the protection of their pets. A 1997 survey of fifty of the largest shelters for battered
women in the United States found that 85% of adult female residents and 63% of child
residents experienced pet abuse in their families (Ascione, 1997).
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 51% of Americans consider
animals as “companions” and 47% consider them as “members of the family” (AVMA,
2002). These strong emotional ties to pets further explain why victims of violence delay their
decision to seek safety. When animals in a home are abused or neglected, it is also a
warning sign that others in the household may not be safe. Additionally, children who
witness animal abuse are at a greater risk of becoming abusers themselves.
A better societal understanding of this link can help to protect victims, both human and
animal, and promote their welfare. There is now increasing co-operation and cross-referral
among child and animal protection professionals who have recognized these links. The
body of evidence linking animal abuse to human violence is also growing.
Overview
Established in 2008, the Link Coalition of Minnesota (LCM) is a non-profit organization with
the vision to create a compassionate and safe community for animals and people. LCM’s
mission is to work together to resolve human/animal violence through education, social
justice, and program development. LCM’s strategic goals are to 1) raise awareness and
educate about the link between human and animal violence and 2) establish safe housing
for pets of families entering shelters for victims of domestic violence.
After a year of strategic planning and program development, LCM is poised to implement
their action plan. A key challenge in the action plan is to research and find shelters and
animal rescue organizations willing to be foster homes for pets while the victim is seeking
shelter for him/herself. Identifying temporary animal shelter resources (i.e. animal shelters,
veterinary clinics, foster homes) will provide the necessary foundation to begin creating a
cooperative and supportive relationship between domestic violence shelters and the pet
shelters. Stakeholders include law enforcement agencies, human service agencies, public
health agencies, schools and animal welfare advocacy organizations, and the general
public.

2. Methodology
The Link Action Research Project Team (LARPT) collaborated with LCM to conduct an on-
line survey measuring general awareness and the capacity to provide shelters for pets
involved in domestic violence. LARPT obtained the sample (n=141) from LCM, which
included veterinary clinics (n=125), animal control agencies (n = 4), humane societies (n=4),
and rescue organizations (n=8) within the Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. An introductory
letter was sent by mail on April 1st, with a request to access the survey on-line or return a
hard copy by mail. Follow-up phone calls were made by LARPT members between the
dates of April 9th – 16th. In order to increase the number of responses, participants were
given the opportunity to also complete the survey by phone or return the survey by fax.
The overall response rate was 23.4% (n=33).
Main Findings
QUESTION YES RESPONSE NO RESPONSE # RESPONDENTS
Do you currently house pets in
emergency situations? (e.g. 56.3% 43.8% 32
illness, death, safety issues)
Have you ever been asked by
anyone to provide safe-housing 15.6% 84.4% 32
for their animal because of
domestic violence?
Are you aware of the research
confirmed link between 80.6% 19.4% 31
domestic violence and animal
cruelty (The Link)?
Would you be interested in
learning more about the Link? 35.5% 64.5% 31
Have you ever housed animals in
an emergency domestic 19.4% 80.6% 31
violence situation?
Do you currently have a formal
or informal arrangement with a
domestic violence shelter for 9.4% 90.6% 32
your organization/facility to serve
as an emergency animal
shelter?
Would you be willing to offer 24 hours = 10
emergency shelter for an animal responses
involved in a domestic violence 72 hours = 15
situation? (Check all that apply) N/A 31
responses
1 week = 9 responses
1-3 weeks = 5
responses
> 1 but less than 6
months = 2 responses
Do you have foster homes
available that are associated 16.1% 83.9% 31
with your organization (outside of
your facilities)?
Would reimbursement for costs
determine your participation? 38.7% 61.3% 31
Contact information (optional) N/A N/A 26

3. Recommendations
This evidence demonstrates that the knowledge of the Link and the interest in providing
emergency shelter for animals in domestic violence situations exists. The following are
critical next steps for LCM:
• Immediately send a thank you letter to the 26 respondent organizations, which
provided their contact information.
• Maintain and expand the emergency shelter network by implementing LARPT pilot
survey across larger geographical area.
• Create a communication plan to inform and engage all stakeholders.
• Develop the necessary systems, protocols and policies.
• Identify a funding stream(s) to reimburse shelters.
• Train organizations interested in becoming emergency animal shelters.
Overcoming Survey Challenges
Knowing that Link Coalition of Minnesota is considering implementing a similar survey to
domestic violence shelters, LARPT recommends the following to increase response rate:
• Consider scope of project in reference to allotted time. Allowing ample time for
follow-ups is critical.
• Identify the key contact at the targeted organization(s) and address the survey to
that individual.
• If doing an on-line survey, obtain the e-mail address of target individual and send the
link to the survey in the body of an e-mail.
• Send notification (postcard or e-mail) prior to sending the survey information to alert
the targets.
• Change title from “survey” to “needs and resource assessment”.
• Identify annual meetings or conferences at which LCM could administer future
“needs and resource” assessments for specific target audiences (i.e. domestic
violence shelters, veterinarians, humane societies).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ascione, F. R. (1997). The abuse of animals and domestic violence: a national survey of
shelters for women who are battered. Society and Animals, 5(3): 205–218.
Wise, J.K., Heathcott, B.L., & Gonzalez, M.L. (2002). U.S. pet ownership and demographics
source book. Journal of the American Veterinarian Medical Association. Schaumburg, IL.