Mary arrived at animal control with her beloved lab mix, Roxy, to surrender her - but she didn’t want to. Mary had just escaped her abuser and was on her way to her cousin’s house, where she and her child would stay temporarily, but because Roxy wasn’t allowed there, Mary made the heartbreaking decision to relinquish her. Upon sharing this with the shelter employee, he recognized the case as a potential fit for our program and called our 24-hour crisis line, then handed the phone to Mary to begin the intake process. Mary noted that Roxy was very bonded to her daughter; Roxy slept in the child’s bed every night and sought refuge there when violence in the home would escalate. Roxy was safe. She was not on the adoption floor waiting to find a new family, because she already had one that just needed a little help in order to keep her. The employee graciously offered to hold Roxy in his office and arrange a spay and vaccinations while we coordinated her next steps. Unfortunately, Roxy began showing signs of a respiratory infection, which meant we would have to find a veterinary partner that could isolate her from other pets. Roxy entered our care and was housed by a vet that monitored her spay recovery and respiratory symptoms, ultimately diagnosing her with and successfully treating her for pneumonia. Knowing Roxy was safe and cared for, Mary could focus on securing new housing for her family, and less than three weeks after attempting to surrender her beloved pet, they were reunited again in their new, safe home. Mary’s daughter started a new school year soon after, adjusting to a new grade level and new home – but with her same best friend sleeping in her bed every night.
Ahimsa House
Ahimsa House
[The Ahimsa House logo is displayed in front of a white background. It is a purple hand with a heart in the middle, with the words “Ahimsa House” written in olive green below it, and “Rescue. Rebuild. Reunite.” below that. The image fades into the next scene.]
0:02-0:40
[Ahimsa House Executive Director, Myra Rasnick, sits in front of a blank wall wearing a purple shirt with the Ahimsa House logo on it. She narrates the entire video.]
Ahimsa House is a nonprofit organization in Georgia that assists human and animal victims of domestic violence. Studies show that abusers threaten, harm, or even kill a family pet as a means of control over victims. Approximately half of victims of domestic violence report that they delayed seeking safety for themselves out of concern for a beloved pet. Anywhere in Georgia and at no charge to victims, Ahimsa House offers safe housing for pets while victims seek safety for themselves, and reunite them with their pets once safe and stable housing is secured. We provide veterinary care for pets including preventative care as well as treatment of any injuries or illnesses caused by neglect or abuse.
0:37-0:42
[An Ahimsa House employee picks up a phone and holds it to her ear. Myra is still narrating.]
We have a 24-hour crisis line on which we provide crisis intervention and safety planning. In 2023, our crisis line received over 3,700 calls
0:43-0:48
[A former Ahimsa House client and her two sons are reunited with their two small dogs. They open the crate which is sitting in the back of an open SUV and the woman and her older son each pick up a dog. The dogs are wagging their tails. Myra is still narrating.]
and we helped 199 humans escape domestic violence with their 365 pets.
0:49-0:59
[The video again shows Myra sitting against a blank wall, speaking.]
Donations from individuals like you enable us to continue these life-saving services to the people and pets of Georgia. Thank you for considering a donation to Ahimsa House.
