Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims

08/19/2026

Live in Dane County, Wisconsin, and interested in helping support domestic abuse survivors and their pets? 💜🩷

Please consider volunteering to become part of our foster network and join us for an orientation on September 15th, from 5:30-7:30pm. By doing so, you increase the chances that a victim will seek help in leaving an abuser without fear of leaving the animals in their family behind. Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims (SAAV) serves Dane County, by providing temporary, confidential refuge for pets for up to 90 days.

During the orientation, we discuss the dynamics of domestic abuse, the link between domestic abuse and animal cruelty, and foster information unique to SAAV’s shelter program. Interested in joining us? RSVP required at least 48 hours in advance to [email protected] and location of the orientation will be shared after confirmation of attendance.

For more information, visit: https://mailchi.mp/73a88f4cd347/saav-foster-orientation-21054635

07/11/2026

Looking for some weekend reading? ☕️ Relax and enjoy our Summer Update to learn about our veterinary outreach project, a special recognition for SAAV Co-Founder and President, Megan Senatori, the date for our next orientation session, and more!

🩷 Read it here: https://mailchi.mp/ea14611197f0/summerupdate2026

06/29/2026

Check out "Protecting Pets Under Domestic Violence Laws" on the Litigation Radio Podcast.

In this episode, learn about the intersection of animal protection and cruelty, domestic violence, and family law with two leaders in the field. Guests Megan Senatori, Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims Co-founder and President, and Maricarmen Garza, Chief Counsel for the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence, join host Michal Rogson to discuss protecting victims of domestic violence and their pets.

Listen here: https://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/litigation-radio/2026/05/resolution-504-aba-calls-for-protection-of-pets-under-domestic-violence-laws/

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day to all of the wonderful men out there modeling compassion for animals. We see you, Dog Dads, and we thank you for all you do to make the world a kinder place! 🩷

05/15/2026

Iowa was the only U.S. state in which animal torture was not a felony on the first offense—until now.

A new law signed by Governor Reynolds this week makes severe degrees of animal torture a felony charge on first offense. The law was inspired by Ember, a puppy who was found with significant injuries when police discovered her during a domestic violence investigation.

Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/news/state/felony-charges-for-animal-torture-signed-into-iowa-law/article_e1af3d6e-d581-48c0-b2a7-7bcd1b3eea15.html

If you are a domestic violence survivor concerned about the safety of your animals, Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims provides a pet shelter program that serves Dane County, Wisconsin. More information at saavprogram.org

Severe cases of animal torture are now a felony on first offense in Iowa under legislation signed into law Monday by Gov. Kim Reynolds in Des Moines.

05/10/2026

Today we honor the survivors, the advocates, and the pet-loving moms who inspire us every day. 🐾💜

04/25/2026

It's World Veterinary Day! We'd like to thank all of the veterinarians out there who know that keeping animals safe means making sure their people are safe too. 🩷 We appreciate all you do to spot the signs of abuse and to raise awareness.

A special shout out to the veterinary professionals at the Dane County Humane Society who care for the animals in our shelter program for the pets of domestic abuse victims.

04/11/2026

April is Animal Cruelty Awareness Month, and we all have a role in helping to keep animals and people safe. If you witness animal cruelty or neglect, you can make a difference by reporting it to your local humane officer or law enforcement.

✅ When reporting, be sure to include:

🐾 What you saw
🐾 Who was involved
🐾 When and where it happened

You can save lives when you speak up. Given the known link between animal cruelty and human violence, reporting not only helps animals, it helps people too!

03/25/2026

Indiana gets the link! 🐾

A new state law effective July 1st increases penalties for animal abuse and neglect. Among the changes to the law include that those who abuse or neglect animals in a domestic violence situation to threaten or coerce a family member or household member can be charged with a level six felony.

Learn more in this article:

A new state law effective July 1 will increase penalties for animal abuse and neglect and remove liability for damages when someone takes a domestic animal from a motor vehicle.

03/07/2026

Congratulations to the new volunteers who completed our Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims orientation earlier this week! We’re delighted to add three new foster homes to our network that provides temporary, confidential refuge for the pets of domestic violence survivors in Dane County, Wisconsin. Please join us in saying thank you and sending them a warm welcome! 🥳