One of Our Clients

July, 2009---The woman you just saw on our homepage holding the large cat was Barbara Moore, a client of P.A.W.S. since 2006.  She and her two cats, Cheesecake and Tiger looked forward to their delivery of pet food and supplies each month by the volunteer driver from P.A.W.S. 

This delivery was different.  The driver arrived Saturday morning to find police and yellow tape around the apartment complex.

Barbara Moore apparently fell victim to domestic violence.  Her boyfriend, Harold Jones, was booked on suspicion of murder.  Barbara and her cats had been receiving P.A.W.S. services since 2006.  Barbara was a client who looked forward to the food delivery each month.  She would often call the day before delivery just to double check someone was coming.  Visiting with the driver was just as important to her as the pet food was for her cats.

Domestic violence on women is the most under reported crime in America. A battering incident is rarely an isolated event.  Battering tends to increase and become more violent over time.  On any given day in San Diego, 531 women and children need shelter as they leave abusive situations.  Victims may postpone leaving out of fear for their pets' safety.  We'll never know if this was Barbara's situation.

Barbara was crazy about her two cats.  She spoke several years ago to those in attendance at the fundraising Pedigree Party.  People forgot their own problems when they heard Barbara talk about how much Tiger and Cheesecake meant to her.

 For information on pets and domestic violence, http://www.rchumanesociety.org/programs/safehouse.asp

FYI- Cheesecake and Tiger are being taken care of and P.A.W.S. continues to care for these two wth food and vet care services.