Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Shelby SafePet, Nonprofit Organization, 381 McDow Road, Columbiana, AL.
Shelby SafePet removes barriers that cause survivors of domestic violence to choose between protecting themselves by entering a domestic violence program or protecting their pets by staying to care for them in an abusive home.
03/14/2025
Please be weather aware! Here’s a list of storm shelters by county.
4/6/25 UPDATE: LINK NO LONGER VALID, HAS NOTT BEEN UPDATED AS OF 3/15/25
ALABAMA COMMUNITY SAFE ROOMS
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Join us for as we explore the theme of "Heal, Hold, Center."
Throughout the month, we'll be diving into conversations about promoting healthy relationships, increasing awareness, education on what abuse is, & more. What do you want to learn this DVAM? Follow us on our socials to stay in the loop.
Remember, you are not alone. Advocates are available and here for you 24/7 💜
📞 Call: 1-800-799-SAFE(7233)
💬 “START” to 88788
💻 Chat: the hotline.org
05/08/2024
Send a message to learn more
11/28/2023
Help us in our mission to support survivors of domestic violence by donating supplies from our wishlist! These items help us in our goal of reuniting pets with owners who have often left with little to no possessions.
Adopt a dog and best friend in Birmingham, Childersburg, Chelsea Alabama.
05/25/2023
Want to help support the work of the SafePet program? Visit our webpage to see our current Wish List needs or give a monetary donation!
Adopt a dog and best friend in Birmingham, Childersburg, Chelsea Alabama.
05/13/2023
We’re at Beneful Alabaster Dream Dog Park until Noon today! Come out and see us, along with Shelby Humane, Central Alabama Wellness and NAMI Shelby
We have some sweet pups here ready to give cuddles or become the newest member of your family!
05/12/2023
Join us TOMORROW at Alabaster Dog Park! There will be some precious pups waiting to give lots of cuddles!
03/16/2023
GOAL MET!!
We are in need of an outdoor kennel in order to reunite one of our pets in care. This is the only thing that stands between a pet getting to go home! We will also happily accept a preowned kennel in good (no dents/bends) condition!
Adopt a dog and best friend in Birmingham, Childersburg, Chelsea Alabama.
03/03/2023
Come out to Brookwood Village this Saturday and help support one of our SafePet partners, Southern Veterinary Partners as they participate in The Exceptional Foundation’s Chili Cookoff!
A huge thank you to Southern Veterinary Partnersfor supporting our Shelby SafePet Program by proving pet food, flea and tick medication, heartworm prevention, and monetary donations for pets who are actively in our SafePet Program.
Help us show support for Southern Veterinary Partners and Shelby SafePet by supporting them at the The Exceptional Foundation Chili Cookoff this Saturday, March 4th! They will be competing as team Chili Dogz!
09/25/2021
Saturdays are for sleeping in and cuddling up to the family pet!
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Shelby Humane is a leader on important issues facing the people of Alabama. We launched Shelby SafePet in May 2018. This new program assists survivors of domestic violence by partnering with organizations that provide emergency shelter, and creating a network of veterinarians and volunteers to care for animals while women and children find the support they need. This will all be done a no cost to families until they are reunited with their pets.
IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM
One in four women in America experiences domestic violence in her lifetime. Domestic violence knows no racial, ethnic, religious, or economic boundaries, but occurs throughout every sector of society. The 2015 Domestic Violence in Alabama Report finds that domestic violence was indicated in 3,936 violent offenses that year: 32 homicides, 267 rapes, 91 robberies and 3,546 aggravated assaults.
These statistics support the relationship between humans and animals at risk:
Most households have pets that are often considered part of the family. Many abusers use this bond to control, intimidate, and retaliate against their victims.
Up to 71% of victims entering domestic violence shelters report that their abusers threatened, injured, or killed the family pets. Research indicates that pet abuse may be a red flag for increased severity of domestic violence.
Abusers often threaten to harm pets if a victim flees. Threats toward a pet have also been used as effective ways to silence children from reporting sexual abuse.
Nearly half of all victims of domestic violence entering shelters report that they delayed seeking safety from an abusive situation because of concerns about what would happen to their pets.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence's directory of domestic violence programs, fewer than 1 in 8 domestic violence shelters is able to accommodate victims' pets.
Victims who leave pets behind have been known to leave domestic violence shelters and return to the residence in order to attempt to reclaim or care for the pets.
Children who witness pet abuse may go on to engage in animal cruelty themselves. In addition, animal cruelty in childhood is a risk factor for interpersonal violence.
Alabama is one of only twelve states that require veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse to law enforcement agencies. The FBI made animal cruelty a Group A felony with its own category in 2014 to help identify pet abusers before their behavior worsens, and to provide support for prosecutions when necessary.
There are currently no programs in Alabama that provide free veterinary care, food, boarding and pet deposits for victims of domestic violence. Many victims choose to stay in abusive homes when they learn they cannot take their pets with them when they flee. This unique program address both human safety and pet safety, and prevents victims from having to make the difficult choice of protecting themselves by entering shelter or protecting their pets by staying to care for them in an abusive home. We give families the comfort and confidence of knowing their pets are safe and healthy while addressing their own needs, and then reunite families with their pets.
FINDING SOLUTIONS
Shelby Humane launched Shelby SafePet in May 2018. This new program is building a network of referring organizations in every Alabama county, followed by a network of veterinarians and volunteers to care for animals while women and children find the support they need. This will all be done a no cost to families. The key services provided by Shelby SafePet include:
Emergency shelter for pets while their owners reach safety from domestic violence
Veterinary care for pets with injuries and other health conditions due to the abuse, as well as preventive veterinary care and spay/neuter for animals staying in our emergency shelter program
Forensic veterinary examinations to document abuse
Pet food, pet supplies, payment of pet deposits in transitional housing, and other assistance victims may need in order to move forward with their lives together while in the Shelby SafePet program
Folding crates and other pet supplies for domestic violence shelters, including shelters that have their own on-site housing for pets
Shelby SafePet will actively support public education on domestic violence issues so that citizens can better identify and guide victims. These are some of the ways we will help:
Training and cross-training for a wide range of human services and animal protection agencies on the links between animal abuse and domestic violence
Direct outreach to the public to raise awareness about this issue
Participating in interdisciplinary conferences and meetings in order to raise awareness of animal abuse in domestic violence
Confidentiality of critically important at every stage of assistance provided through Shelby SafePet. Our partner shelters through the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in particular the YWCA of Central Alabama and Safe House of Shelby County, have helped us develop the steps needed to protect owners and their pets. Shelby SafePet also trains volunteers providing transportation and fostering/boarding, our veterinary partners. All volunteers working with Shelby SafePet will also be screened through a criminal background check.
