A Common Bond - The National Link Coalition

A Common Bond: Maltreated Children and Animals in the HomeForewordAs the heads of our organizations, each of us is devoted to fulfilling ourrespective missions. And, while some of our goals differ among our diverseorganizations—since, at times, we serve different constituencies—certainly thepurpose of A Common Bond is not only compatible with, but also supportive of,the core missions of all our organizations. Recognizing this shared perspective,we enthusiastically joined with one another—through our expertise in animalprotection and child welfare policy and practice—to support the developmentand publication of this important new resource for court personnel, childwelfare professionals, and animal protection officers. By doing so, we hopeto encourage other groups to find common interests and to work together onsimilar joint efforts.A Common Bond makes the point that, to keep families safe and protectchildren, we need to consider the role that pets play in families. Animal abusein families often is one of the first indicators that a family needs help. Payingattention to animal abuse provides another important tool with which to guardchildren from abuse and neglect, provide needed support to families, andprotect animals.A Common Bond offers a framework, based on firm evidence and reasoning, inwhich to understand the interaction between child neglect and animal abuse.Just as important, it provides practical information, specific suggestions, anduseful resources to the many hard-working professionals who are devoted tothe safety and protection of children, families, and the pets who live in thosefamilies. We hope it will serve as a valuable tool in helping protect and improvethe lives of all.Marie Belew WheatleyPresident and Chief Executive OfficerAmerican Humane AssociationWilliam H. NeukomPresidentAmerican Bar AssociationWayne PacellePresident and Chief Executive OfficerThe Humane Society of the United StatesWayne HolderExecutive DirectorACTION for Child Protectionv