Local organization offers shelter to domestic violence victims pets

Daisy and Minnie are more than just furry friends for Sam Franklin.

The two dogs are her safety net, but she was forced to leave them behind when escaping domestic violence.

“I had to leave my animals behind with my abuser for three weeks until she got out of my house. I couldn’t see them, I couldn’t check on them. I didn’t know if they were dead or alive. It broke my heart and I cried all the time,” Sam Franklin, the founder of ShelterMe Nebraska said.

After reuniting with her pets Franklin was determined to make sure other domestic violence victims don’t have to go through the pain she did.

In 2014 she founded shelter me Nebraska, a 501c3 non–profit organization that places victims pets in foster homes while they get back on their feet.

“Victims leave with nothing so we swoop in, pick up their animals, and keep them safe.”

Each time a pet comes in ShelterMe works with them, as many times they have also been abused.

The organization pays for all veterinary bills and any supplies they need to care for the pet.

While each animal is kept safe until it’s able to be reunited with its owner, Franklin is working toward building a shelter so victims don’t have to be separated from their animals.

“I want to see the victims living with their animals and growing and healing.”

Nebraska is one of only ten states in the country that does not have a co-shelter in place for victims and their pets, but Franklin and her organization are working to change that.

They still need about half a million dollars to make their shelter dreams a reality.

While raising so much money is a daunting task, Franklin said keeping others from the fears she had while escaping abuse make all it worthwhile.

“This would have been a game changer for me. Just to know that they’re safe and out of harms way would have made all the difference in the world.”

If you would like to learn more about ShelterMe Nebraska you can read about there by clicking here. If you would like to donate to the organization you can do so by clicking here.