Silent Auction Used to Break the Silence
Contact: Rita Heydinger, (740) 589-4853, or e-mail rita514@hotmail.com
ATHENS, Ohio (June 1, 2000) -- Two local organizations are hosting Break the Silence, a night of a silent auction, entertainment and refreshments at the Ridges Auditorium Saturday, June 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. to raise money and increase awareness of the link between domestic abuse of humans and animals.
My Sister's Place, a local domestic violence shelter, and Pound Rescue of Athens, a safe haven for pets, are working together to help educate people on the link between animal abuse and domestic violence.
"Many times victims are reluctant to leave an abusive situation for fear of harm or death to their pets. We want them to know that My Sister's Place and Pound Rescue will work with them to help find a safe place for themselves and their pets," said Kate McGuckin, Executive Director of My Sister's Place.
Several studies, including the one by The Doris Day Animal League, a national non-profit organization working for the welfare of animals, found a strong link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans, including child abuse, spousal battery and other types of criminal behavior. These studies found that animal abuse may indicate other violence or abusive behaviors, may be the only sign of an abusive family, and that witnesses or victims of violence are often more comfortable talking about the occurrence of animal abuse.
"A lot of times people are more willing to step into an animal situation than a family where they know there is abuse because it serves as a third party," said Rosanne Krager of Pound Rescue of Athens.
The Local Girls, a local women's trio, will open their performance at 7:30 p.m. inside the auditorium.
Admission tickets for the evening are $10 and that includes a performance by the Local Girls, items for auction, fun, and refreshments.
To make a donation, purchase a ticket, or for more information, contact Rosanne Krager at 593-6777.
