Faye‘s DV Survivor Story
March 7th, 2025
By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager –
Just as we recognize our first responders as the courageous heroes that they are, domestic violence shelter advocates also help families in vulnerable moments where emotions run high and compassion is critical. Behind every survivor supported by a RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant is an advocate looking out for the whole family. They share in the survivor’s hopes, feel for their losses, and take steps in tandem toward a better future. This is Faye’s Survivor Story, as shared by her advocate, Brooklyn*.
“Faye* loves Tommy* and Mitzi* so much. They are her babies. Faye stayed in an abusive relationship just to ensure that he never hurt her dogs. She felt like she had nowhere to turn until she found a home for them to all stay in together. But then he found her and the animals again, and he knew the only way to hurt her was to threaten her dogs, so he did. That’s when she desperately reached out to us.
“I am the advocate who took Faye’s hotline call. She was desperately trying to find safety for herself and her two dogs after the abuser threatened to take and dispose of them. I immediately took her and the two dogs in without hesitation due to the situation. Her two dogs are all that she has, and she has stayed outdoors with them previously just so they were not separated. Her older dog Mitzi is fitting in great here at our women’s shelter, and she is loving it here. Tommy, on the other hand, is not comfortable with all of our humans here, and he is a nervous wreck. Tommy is scared to come out of the room due to the little children here at the shelter.”
Poor Tommy, a tiny Chihuahua mix and only 10 months old, was safe from abuse – but not the unexpected noises and erratic movements of people in the shelter. Seeing how stressed her little guy was made it difficult for Faye to focus on the healing she needed to work on while in the shelter, making the thought of leaving the shelter more appealing. But Brooklyn knew this would only hurt this family more, whether they returned to the abuse or slept outside, completely unprotected. She was an experienced advocate, however, and knew of a perfect solution: the RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant program.
“With RedRover, we could get Tommy into boarding where he could have lots of furry friends to play with while his mom and Mitzi continue to work on their goal here at the shelter of finding them all a furever home.”
Finally, Faye had nothing to worry about but her plan for a better future with Tommy and Mitzi. Reflecting on her Safe Escape grant after she and her two pups were reunited, she shared:
“It meant the world to me. To know Tommy was taken care of by someone who loved him so much and to not have to stress about paying for him to be there was one of my lifesavers. I did not leave my abusive relationship sooner because I was afraid of what would happen to my dogs, and I will never forget the day I called the shelter and Brooklyn told me about this program. I cried so many happy tears that day, and because of RedRover and the boarding facility, I was able to get back on track and find myself again. I can’t thank RedRover enough.”
Brooklyn, Faye’s advocate, had helped a family at their most vulnerable, but she wasn’t alone in extending compassion and support when they were most needed. She had counted on the RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant program – and YOU, who makes these grants possible – many times in the past and was thankful to know she would always have a way to help families in the future.
“I have worked with RedRover for many years, this is one of the best and most needed programs out there for domestic violence victims. So many times, I hear women say they can’t leave their fur babies behind to come into the shelter. To be able to give those clients peace of mind because of what RedRover does is such a blessing. Over the years, we have worked together on many cases and had many success stories, thanks to RedRover! Thank you for all you do for not only our clients but also our shelters!”
Remember: Every time a survivor or advocate thanks RedRover, they’re thanking you for making a lifesaving difference and taking steps with them toward a better future. Thank you for all you do for pets and families in crisis!
Please consider making a Safe Escape possible for every survivor with a generous gift today.
*Names have been changed to protect privacy
