Everett’s DV Survivor Story

By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager –

Everett* did what domestic violence survivors so often can’t: she fled the abuse with her dog, Delia*, and took refuge at a pet-friendly shelter with her elderly mother. As her mother’s sole caretaker, she was responsible for both of them; her mother was deeply bonded to Delia, too.

But their relief was short-lived. The shelter had restrictions on what breeds they could allow on their property, due to their insurance policy. Delia was one of those breeds. Though many consider these restrictions to be discriminatory, they are an unfortunate reality that some shelters face. The very thing meant to keep pets and families together now forced Everett and Delia apart.

She had only been at the domestic violence shelter for a matter of hours, but Everett’s advocate could already see clearly that she would stay with Delia no matter what, even if that meant returning to the abuser along with her elderly mother. For a moment, everyone was free, but now it seemed they would have to choose between being together and being safe.

It was hardly a choice at all. Pets are family, and families stay together. Everett considered living in her car with her mother and Delia; with her options seeming more and more limited, she even considered surrendering Delia just to keep her safe.

“As her advocate, I watched Everett’s struggle with this decision, and we reached out to RedRover to avoid those results.”

While Delia remained in a kennel on the shelter’s property, safely removed from the other guests and their pets, Everett and her advocate applied for a RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant. They found a local boarding facility where she could visit Delia and take her on outings, which would greatly benefit Everett and her mother’s mental health – and Delia’s wellbeing.

With a grant, Delia was boarded for the duration of Everett’s stay in the domestic violence shelter. Once she had completed her program and focused on her healing, she was ready to reunite with Delia in their new, safe home. Once again, everyone was free.

Your support of the RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant means survivors never have to face that impossible choice alone. Thank you for keeping families like Everett and Delia together through crisis!

*Names have been changed to protect privacy

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