Expanding safe spaces for survivors and pets in Oregon
April 11th, 2023
By Katie Campbell, Director of Collaboration and Outreach
It may be just April, but our teams have been BUSY!
In March the RedRover Responders team partnered once again with our friends at Greater Good Charities’ Rescue Rebuild program for a shelter build to expand pet housing for survivors of domestic violence (DV) in Washington County, Oregon – already our second build of the year!
We were busy sprucing up some “hangout” spaces (aka “pet living rooms”) and making some outdoor spaces a bit more amenable for people and their pets in inclement weather. This meant a LOT of painting, debris removal, fence installation, and a new pergola! In the end, our team helped create amazing spaces where survivors and their pets can find safety and healing.
We know that pets are family and play an important role in a survivor’s ability to heal, which is why we’re committed to helping more survivors and their pets escape abuse together. Whether that means pets are housed at an animal shelter, through fostering, or, ideally, at a DV shelter with their pet parent, we believe that we can play an important role in helping organizations create that programming.
This particular build was a “full-circle” experience and especially exciting for us: The Domestic Violence Resource Center approached our Don’t Forget the Pets “Coaching” program for some support and guidance on how to make on-site pet housing work. We provided information and guidance and, more importantly, connected them with a local animal services organization to build up their local support.
BONUS! Not only were we able to help with the development and conceptualizing of their pet-housing plan, but we also got to join our friends at Rescue Rebuild to bring these plans to fruition! There’s not much else I love more than swinging a hammer and wielding some power tools for people and pets!
Our staff and volunteers look forward to supporting more efforts like this as we work toward our goal of helping 25% of DV shelters in the U.S. to become pet friendly by 2025.
