Tessa’s DV Survivor Story

By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager –

Tessa’s* plan for escaping abuse had one step: make sure her daughter, Whitney*, their dog, Joey*, and their kitten, Sweetheart* went with her. As long as they were all safe and together, she could figure out what their next steps would be. While Tessa and Whitney were able to enter a domestic violence shelter, their only option for keeping Joey and Sweetheart protected was to leave them in their car and do what they could to care for them each day. Everyone was safe, but no one was healing.

Joey, a tiny pomeranian, had been a part of the family for seven years, while one-year-old Sweetheart was Whitney’s kitten. They were both emotional support animals to the family. Though they had all been at risk of abuse, their presence in the home had given Tessa and Whitney hope that the abuse would end and they would have a better future together. Joey and Sweetheart deserved not only to be safe, but to have freedom and comfort in the first days of their better future. Tessa knew that while they were taken care of in the car, their needs weren’t being met.

Her advocate at the domestic violence shelter could see that the family was struggling, and as the spring weather began to warm up, the car would no longer be an option for sheltering Joey and Sweetheart. When they found the RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant program, they worked with Tessa to apply for a grant and find a safe boarding facility for Joey and Sweetheart. Seeing them every day while they were staying in the car, while not a perfect solution, had been beneficial for Tessa and Whitney, and they hoped they could find a boarding facility where they could still visit as often as they needed.

Once their grant had been approved, everyone in the family could start taking steps toward their better future, together. Tessa and Whitney could focus on their healing process at the shelter, and Joey and Sweetheart could get extra love and attention on the days they couldn’t visit. Everyone slept better; the pets were more comfortable, and Tessa and Whitney were more confident that nothing would happen to them while they were apart. They were well-rested, recovered, and ready for the future by the time the family of four was reunited.

Your support of RedRover means that survivors like Tessa and Whitney can always rely on the RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant program to protect their pets and enjoy a better future together, safe from violence. Thank you for keeping this family together and making a lifesaving difference for families every day!

*Names have been changed to protect privacy

P.S. Please consider making a Safe Escape possible for every survivor with a generous gift today.