Learn More About Fostering

Domestic Abuse is about the power and control an abuser exercises over their victim. Abusers often use abuse or the threat of abuse of an animal to leverage power over the victim. Statistics show that many victims and their children remain in violent situations because they are afraid of leaving their animals.

Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims® (SAAV) is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-based non-profit organization that is dedicated to ending the cycle of abuse within families. SAAV plays a unique role in this fight by recognizing the importance of animals as vital family members and arranging for their safe harbor at a time of critical need–when a domestic abuse victim seeks refuge from an abuser.

As part of our mission, SAAV provides temporary, confidential, emergency shelter for a period of up to 90 days for the animals of domestic abuse victims who are seeking safety. Shelter for animals is provided by SAAV through a generous collaboration with our community partners, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) and the Dane County Humane Society (DCHS).

SAAV provides a unique foster opportunity. Foster parents are asked to confidentially foster the animals of domestic abuse victims. By offering foster care, foster parents increase the chances that a victim will seek help without fear of leaving animals behind. SAAV’s shelter services are provided to victims in Dane County who are receiving services from DAIS at the time of application to SAAV Shelter. SAAV also provides nationwide community outreach regarding the link between animal cruelty and human violence.

The temporary shelter period is limited to a maximum period of 90 days, with a requirement that the victim check in with us 30 days after intake, and again at 60 days after intake. As a SAAV foster you will be asked to make a 90 day foster commitment to the animal(s) in your care, though the domestic abuse victim may choose to remove an animal from foster earlier. You will also be asked to act quickly - it is important that a SAAV animal goes into foster care as quickly as possible. The name and contact information for the foster parent is not given to the domestic abuse victim may choose to remove an animal from foster earlier. You will also be asked to act quickly - it is important that a SAAV animal goes into foster care as quickly as possible.

The name and contact information for the foster parent is not given to the domestic abuse victim and, likewise, the name and contact information for the domestic abuse victim is not shared with the foster parent. This, also, is for the safety of both the foster care provider and the domestic abuse victim and animals we are helping. There is no contact between our foster parents and the victim at any time, again, for safety reasons.

Fostering for SAAV can sometimes be more demanding than typical shelter fostering, because animals affected by domestic abuse can sometimes be frightened and/or shy. Before placement into a foster home, animals are given a behavioral assessment by DCHS. If an animal enrolled in SAAV is not appropriate for foster placement, we place the animal in another confidential shelter location (i.e., but not a foster home). If you feel prepared to foster a SAAV animal, are willing to attend a SAAV Orientation session, a DCHS general foster orientation, and if you have the ability to donate time, facilities, and energy to an animal in need, we would love to have you! Please complete the SAAV Foster Care Application, including the electronic DCHS foster application, and become a part of our network of foster families.

* Please complete both the SAAV Foster Application and the DCHS Foster Application online at the links provided above.