The Path to Pet Friendly with Don’t Forget the Pets
May 7th, 2025
By Danielle Works, Community Engagement Manager –
The path to becoming pet-inclusive can be daunting, but also rewarding – RedRover and Greater Good Charities’ Don’t Forget the Pets (DFTP) project is here to help every step of the way!
Many organizations first make contact with DFTP through a workshop, conference, or guest presentation. DFTP’s workshop, Housing People and Pets in Crisis, is often described as a “30,000-foot view” of pet housing programs, providing a framework to build on as well as an opportunity to connect with other service providers and form collaborative partnerships.
Once a framework has been established, organizations can take active steps to create a program that works for their community. To help with this process, the DFTP Coaching Program offers tailored technical support through a series of Zoom calls. In these one-on-one coaching sessions, the DFTP team can help design pet spaces, draft new policies, and troubleshoot common concerns.
Access to funding is a common barrier that many organizations struggle with. Creating a pet-inclusive program doesn’t have to break the bank and can even unlock new fundraising opportunities, and RedRover also provides grant funding to help cover start-up costs! Through the RedRover Safe Housing grant, shelters can apply for up to $60,000 to purchase pet supplies, start a veterinary fund, or support the construction of new pet spaces.
Find out how your local organization can benefit from a RedRover Relief Safe Housing grant at RedRover.org/SafeHousing, or check out Don’t Forget the Pets coaching program and upcoming events at DontForgetThePets.org.
Interested in bringing a workshop to your community? Learn more at our Don’t Forget the Pets workshop page.
