SPARCC dedicates animal kennel

Thanks to funding from Mary Ann Robinson, families staying at Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center’s emergency center have a place to bring their beloved pets.

Robinson is a member emeritus of the Safe Place & Rape Crisis Center Board of Directors. The kennel, named Mic and Mac’s after her own dogs, was dedicated to her Dec. 18. Her donation funded the project, which allowed for a separate animal area at the emergency shelter. With solid fencing all around the outdoor run and space for up to six animals inside the heated and air-conditioned area, families seeking shelter have a place to bring their animals.

“I have dogs, and I felt so sorry for the kids who were coming here without being able to bring their pets,” Robinson said.

The kennel was completed about six months ago, said Olivia Thomas, SPARCC’s president and CEO. It has already housed more than 20 companion animals since then.

Before the kennel was completed, a SPARCC volunteer would help take in family animals, said Jennifer Priest, a resident assistant at the emergency shelter, but the women and children coming in still had anxiety about being separated from their pets.

The ability to take their pet sometimes determines whether someone will stay or leave an abusive situation, said Thomas.

“Someone who is abusive to people is often abusive to animals as well,” she said, adding that the abuser can also use the pet as a manipulation tool if it is left behind.

The shelter has housed dogs and cats, and even hamsters and guinea pigs. One woman asked to sleep in the kennel with her dog — so SPARCC assistants gave her a cot to sleep on, Priest said.

“People depend on their animals,” Priest said. “When they’re in a relationship where they’re being controlled in what they do, they have that one creature who gives them unconditional love.”

Robinson is not done helping the emergency shelter, though — the next project is renovating the kitchens, and she wants to help. SPARCC hopes to make the space a dual kitchen — two stoves, two ovens — so there is plenty of room for two families to cook at once. The shelter has 27 beds and it’s usually full, said Luisa Goldman, board president.

Thomas said the board was already toying with calling it the “Key lime pie” kitchen and framing Robinson’s favorite recipe to hang inside.