Animal cruelty and human violence are often linked together. 

      When You Hurt One,You Hurt the Other.

Safe People * Safe Pets helps reduce the risk to both through advocacy, awareness and safety programs.



See our OpEd advocating for pets in restraining orders - a way to keep both people and the pets they love safe.

The Issue

Research indicates that violence toward animals serves as a symptom and a predictor of other violent behavior. One representative study found that over 85% of women entering domestic violence shelters talked about pet abuse in the family.

Many of the most infamous violent criminals in recent years had an early history of extreme cruelty to animals, as well.

When animal abuse can be detected early, it not only saves innocent pets from senseless abuse or death, but also alerts authorities to criminal or abusive behavior, leads to help for children who are developing a pattern of violence, and saves society and the justice system the heavy costs involved in dealing with serious violence offenders.



  How We Help

The Massachusetts Safe People - Safe Pets Foster Program provides temporary, loving housing for pets whose owners are leaving domestic violence situations.

 Safe People - Safe Pets offers educational workshops providing insight on abuse - as well as information to help keep people and animals free from harm.