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Schumer Backs PAWS Act for Abuse Victims' Pets

Senator Schumer is calling on his colleagues in the congress to pass legislation that would help domestic violence victims and their pets.

Jamie Saunders is the President of the Willow Domestic Violence Center. She says she once worked with a woman whose boyfriend was abusive, but instead of seeking safety at one of their shelters, the woman lived out of her car.

"And she had five very good reasons, she did have those two dogs and three cats and they all stayed together in her car because they were her life, they were her comfort, they were her hope."

There are currently no pet-friendly shelters in Monroe County, but the Willow Center planning to build one, and Senator Schumer is backing legislation that would help.

The Protect Pets and Women from Domestic Violence, or PAWS Act, would help fund pet-friendly shelters. It would also strengthen protections against animal abuse.

Schumer says pets are sometimes threatened and held hostage by the abuser for control.

"And that is disgusting."

The Willow Center's pet-friendly shelter would have soundproofing, and a dog-play area with high fencing in order to protect its residents' anonymity.

Veronica Volk is a senior editor and producer for WXXI News.