Domestic Abuse Family Shelter Inc

THE DOMESTIC ABUSE FAMILY SHELTER, INC. (DAFS) WILL LAUNCH THE SHELTERING SURVIVORS AND THEIR COMPANIONS PROGRAM, A REGIONAL EFFORT TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL SHELTER, HOUSING SUPPORT, AND TRAUMA INFORMED SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING, ALONG WITH THEIR COMPANION ANIMALS, IN RURAL SOUTH MISSISSIPPI. IN THESE UNDERSERVED AREAS, SURVIVORS OFTEN FACE GEOGRAPHIC ISOLATION, LIMITED SHELTER CAPACITY, AND A LACK OF PET-FRIENDLY OPTIONS, FORCING MANY TO REMAIN IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS RATHER THAN LEAVE PETS BEHIND. THE PROGRAM ELIMINATES THE BARRIER TO SAFETY BY ENSURING SURVIVORS DO NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR SAFETY AND THEIR PETS. SERVICES WILL INCLUDE PET-FRIENDLY EMERGENCY SHELTER, VETERINARY CARE, HOUSING RELOCATION ASSISTANCE, AND COORDINATED TRANSPORTATION. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTERS, VETERINARY CLINICS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE PROGRAM WILL OFFER TRAUMA-INFORMED ADVOCACY AND CROSS TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS ON THE LINK BETWEEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ANIMAL ABUSE. DAFS ANTICIPATES SERVING SURVIVORS AND THEIR PETS ANNUALLY ACROSS FOURTEEN RURAL COUNTIES.