Conway Animal Services offers safe haven for domestic violence pets

Conway Animal Services provides temporary shelter for pets of domestic violence victims in Conway. The effort gives people time to find safe housing without abandoning their companion animals.

The facility maintains a designated space for these animals. Owners receive up to 30 days of pet care during their transition.

Spencer Clawson, Conway public works director, said the initiative grew from a desire to help community members in need.

“It can save a life,” Clawson said.

The shelter represents the program with a kennel painted purple. Staff take precautions to protect the privacy of every participant.

Clawson emphasized that the colored enclosure remains purely symbolic.

“We don’t actually keep their animal in that kennel. It’s just a symbolic kennel. We would not want to do anything to reveal someone’s identity,” Clawson said.

The shelter began offering the service last year. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Clawson hopes more residents learn about the resource.

“Right now, I’m going to say that we’ve had roughly ten people reach out to us and needed to utilize this service,” Clawson said.

The shelter operates municipal programs that house animals and support local pet owners. Staff coordinate care plans during critical community transitions.

The Conway Animal Shelter is also working to create a similar space for pets. That project will serve people in the Faulkner County Drug Court.