INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – IndyVet Emergency & Specialty Hospital has presented its Professional Excellence Through Service Award, also known as the P.E.T.S. Award, to Beacon of Hope Center for Women for its Foster Pet Program.
During IndyVet’s annual Pet Carnival in July, the veterinary practice honored individuals or organizations that demonstrate outstanding community service, dedication, love and commitment to animals.
In 2012, Beacon of Hope launched its Foster Pet Program to provide a safe alternative for abused women and their four-legged companions by utilizing volunteer host families to house pets until the owner returns to a safe environment. Since its inception, the program has placed 46 animals in foster homes.
According to the American Humane Society, 68 percent of abused women have reported that an abuser is violent towards their pet. And 40 percent of abused women are too scared to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pet.
Beacon of Hope is the only domestic violence organization in Marion County that offers assistance to victim’s pets. In addition to giving the animals a temporary home, the program also provides vaccines and food.
The program is currently seeking foster homes for dogs, cats and birds.
For more information on Beacon of Hope, or how to become a volunteer host family for pets, visit BeaconofHopeIndy.org, or call 317-731-6131.
