Senator Dean Heller attended the groundbreaking of Noah’s Animal House. It’s a full service pet shelter to assist animals from homes experiencing domestic violence, in Reno. Heller joined NAH founder Staci Alonso, Committee to Aid Abused Women, Executive Director Denise Yoxsimer, and Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, only 3 percent of domestic violence shelters accept pets. Heller says he is proud that Nevada is leading the way to ensure that domestic violence victims have the resources they need to feel empowered to leave abusive relationships. Heller also highlighted his support for the PAWS Act, bipartisan legislation he introduced to expand existing federal domestic violence protections to include threats or acts of violence against a victim’s pet and provide grant funding to programs – like NAH – that offer shelter and housing assistance for domestic violence victims with pets.