Why I Support the Purple Leash Project: A domestic violence survivor’s story
October 2nd, 2020
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In partnership with Purina, RedRover’s Purple Leash Project is working to help people and pets escape abuse together.
Here is one survivor’s story about why she supports the Purple Leash Project.
Do you have a moment in your life where you realized you’d found your special cause or charity? Something that resonated so deeply with you, you knew you had to find a way to support it?
As I don’t have children of my own or extended family, I was looking for a very special charity to put in my will. The Purple Leash Project appealed to me at once because their cause is so unique and so desperately needed to protect our most vulnerable.
Had the services of the Purple Leash Project been available to me in the 1980s when I found myself in an abusive relationship, my beloved dog Max* and I may have had more time together. I tried to “make things right” for Max’s sake and stay in the marriage. There came a time, though, when my life was at stake and, because there were no domestic violence shelters that accepted pets, I had to leave my home without him. Shortly thereafter, Max “ran away,” according to my ex-husband. He wore a name tag, notices were posted, and calls made, but he wasn’t found, and within days Max was reported dead by a sick, anonymous phone call. God only knows what happened to him. My heart was broken…and still is.
So, when I saw an ad for the Purple Leash Project in a magazine, this old heartache brought tears to my eyes. I cried for Max and I cried, too, because I knew I’d found my special charity.
Since those dark days so long ago, I have been blessed in many ways, and now it’s time to think about what I can do to leave a better world behind me. So, in my will, I have donated the proceeds from the sale of my home to the Purple Leash Project. In doing this, I know that someday when I’m no longer on this earth, I’ve helped to protect women and their beloved pets in their darkest hour, and to give them hope for a better life and future together.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. With your help, the Purple Leash Project will ensure that there is at least one pet-friendly domestic violence shelter in every state by the end of 2020 – and we have only four more states to go.
Thank you for being a part of this vital movement – for pets like my Max, you can truly make a lifesaving difference.
With gratitude,
Samantha*
Purple Leash Project supporter and domestic violence survivor
*Names have been changed to protect privacy
For more ways you can help spread awareness about domestic violence and pets, visit RedRover.org/DVHelp
