October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Our friend Diamond Emerald Eyes has made the graphic above to help spread awareness about domestic violence as it affects both humans and animals. Diamond’s own story crosses domestic violence (fortunately, she hid under the bed and was safe), but has a happy ending. Not so for Norman, the orange tabby who was killed by bit actor Joseph Petcka. Petcka is currently on trial for his incredibly cruel act.
We’re in the middle of a nasty election season, and as such there is always talk about “family values” – this time it’s often from supporters of Proposition 8 here in California. Our request is that when people encounter those who claim to be “defending marriage and family”, challenge them to condemn domestic violence, and to punish those who hurt their partners, children or animals. Even if it means ending a marriage. An abusive marriage or an abusive family is not one worth defending, and any tradition that would excuse violence in the name of “protecting a family” is not a tradition worth preserving.
We hope all our human and animal friends will continue to have safe and loving homes.
You can read more at the National Coalition against Domestic Violence website, and here in San Francisco more information is available at Domestic Violence Consortium. The Humane Society has information about pets domestic violence.