Mission Statement

I am a survivor victim; my name is Janie, I escaped from my violently abusive husband with only what I could carry. I contacted almost all the shelters in my local area and none of them will take me in because of my little dog. I was asked to drop my dog at any animal shelter and then come back to see about getting into the shelter. The only other option I had was to leave my dog with a family or with my abuser. This was a hard decision to make. I rather stay back in the abusive relationship and continue in my unhealthy relationship then leave my little baby behind. My dog is my life. My life behind closed door was brutal and something had to be done. One day, I was badly bruised by my abuser and I called a well known women shelter in the Northwest part of town that now referred me to MercyHouse. I was so happy to know that there was a shelter that will take me in with my pet. That heavy load and worries about what will happen to my pet was immediately gone. The fear of the unknown was certain. MercyHouse made it possible for my pet to be my emotional support companion and it really helped me in my recovery and healing from a lot of pains and emotion. I just want to say, thank you to MercyHouse for all what they do in helping victims with Pet and I encourage the community to support this organization and to enable them continue to help more victims with Pet.

Lots of Love Janie.

I am a survivor victim and am grateful to be alive. Am sharing my story to empower other victims. I was homeless with 6 young children, the youngest 5month and the oldest 15 years old. I had two problems trying to get into a shelter. My first problem started when I was told that my son was not eligible to stay with me. I asked questions and all I got back was sorry he is of aged and cannot stay. I can understand the policies that most shelter has in place but this is my son and as a victim, he should be consider a victim too and allow being in the same shelter. I have no idea what to do and have no families here in Texas since I am from New York.

 Running from the escalating violence at home and away from my abusive husband is one thing, not knowing where to go is another and worst of all a mother of 6. I was desperate to find a safe place for myself and my children. My second problem was that I had too many children and I had to make the decision to go into the shelter with only two children. I just cannot understand the philosophy of not being able to take all of my children with me to the shelter.

I felt like, I was being blamed for having too many children. My mother has always told me “Children are blessings from God” The thought of loosing anyone of my children is not an option. I was desperate and we had already slept in my van the first night of not being able to get a place to stay. My ex husband had put a gun in my mouth promising to blow my brains off, if I ever try to run away. There was no way in the world that I have to go back home now. There’s no turning back. I had nowhere to go and not enough cash to drive my van to New York.

The shelter we went to allowed us to stay the whole day in the lobby while they try to find a place for us. Finally, the MercyHouse shelter was referred to us. I had called and at first, I was not sure if they were able to take us including my 15 year old son. When I was told we had hope and everything was going to be okay. Oh my gosh!!! What a relief!!!, this are tears of joy, that there is a shelter, that will accommodate me and my six children regardless of their age. I am so grateful for the MercyHouse Shelter. It was God send. I finally had a place to lay my head, had some great food and warm clothes since it was cold.