When No One Else Answers—We Do

Sometimes the hardest part of leaving abuse isn’t packing a bag or finding a safe place to go—it’s realizing that the people you thought would be there for you… aren’t.

This week, a woman called The Paw in Hand Project looking for support as she prepared to leave an abusive relationship. She had nowhere to turn. Not a single friend or family member offering a place to stay. Not even her church community, which had been a cornerstone of her life, would stand by her when she needed help the most.

She felt isolated, judged, and invisible. But what she did have was a dog—her constant companion, her comfort, and one of the few sources of love she still trusted.

When she reached out to us, we didn’t just talk logistics. We listened. We reminded her that she mattered. We supported her with kindness and dignity and offered spiritual encouragement and real resources to help her begin her healing journey.

This is the heart of what we do at Paw in Hand. Yes, we provide temporary housing for pets—but our work is about so much more. It’s about being the support system when all others fall away. It’s about making sure people don’t have to choose between getting safe and keeping the animal who brings them comfort.

When someone says, “No one else will help me,” our answer is always: We will.

This is why your support matters. Every donation, every volunteer hour, every share on social media helps us reach more people and pets in crisis. It allows us to be there—not just with shelter, but with empathy, hope, and real support when it’s needed most.

Because no one should have to walk away from everything alone. And no one should have to leave their pet behind to find safety.