Program helps people and pets escape domestic violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Michigan Humane is lending a helping hand to people in domestic violence situations where they don’t want to leave their pets.

“Domestic abuse and animal abuse, a lot of the times, go hand in hand,” said Lidia Vesterfelt with Michigan Humane. “A lot of survivors have a hard time leaving their situation because their abusers can threaten their pets or hold their pets against them.”

Michigan Humane has a safety net foster program that temporarily houses animals until their owner can take their pet again. Michigan Humane is looking for foster families.

Michigan Humane is also looking for a forever home for multiple pets, including a 3-month-old pit bull terrier mix named Bishop. Lidia described Bishop as a “ball of joy.”

Watch the video above to learn more about Bishop and Michigan Humane’s safety net foster program.