First Strike: The Connection Between Animal Cruelty and Human Violence

PROGRAMS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY

The First StrikeŽ campaign was created in 1997 to raise public and professional awareness about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence and to help communities identify some of the origins of violence, predict its patterns, and prevent its escalation.

Each year, the campaign works with local animal protection agencies around the United States to bring together animal shelter workers, animal control officers, social service workers, law enforcement officials, veterinarians, educators, and others to learn about the violence connection and to promote inter-agency collaborations to reduce animal cruelty, family violence, and community violence.

First Strike also provides investigative support, rewards, expert testimony, and information on the animal-human cruelty connection to law enforcement and prosecutors in high-profile animal cruelty cases. We also work jointly with legislators and activists throughout the United States to press for the passage of well-enforced, felony-level anti-cruelty laws.

Find out more about the animal cruelty/human violence connection and what you can do to break the cycle.

Animal Cruelty and Family Violence: Making the Connection Learn why pets frequently become targets of abuse in homes where there is family violence.  more

Children and Animal Cruelty: What Parents Should Know Review reasons why parents should be concerned about children who harm animals.  more

Download First Strike Materials First Strike campaign brochures, fact sheets, and other materials are now available online!  more

Elder Abuse and Animal Cruelty Animal cruelty or neglect can often be a warning sign that an elderly person is being mistreated as well. Learn more about this connection and ways to prevent it.  more

Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Cruelty Concerned about animal cruelty? Read FAQs about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence.  more

Neighborhood Watch for Animals Tip Sheet What can you do to protect animals in your neighborhood? The HSUS's First Strike program offers tips on starting a Nieghborhood Watch for Animals.  more

Teens Fight Animal Cruelty As the school year begins, teens can help fight animal cruelty and break the connection between animal cruelty and human violence.  more

Expanded Neighborhood Watch Programs The Neighborhood Crime Watch program has a very successful track record. The HSUS would like to see the program adapted into a Neighborhood Watch for Animals.  more

Violence Prevention and Intervention Programs Learn about innovative animal-related programs for at-risk kids.  more