A Legacy Makes Magic Happen for Survivors and their Pets

By Katie Campbell, President and CEO –

The conversation started years ago, pre-2020, and has since grown into a collaborative effort that has brought together advocates and funders from across the state of New Jersey: domestic violence (DV) shelters need pet programming so families with pets can safely escape abuse together. And, at the heart of it all, is Karen Lindemann, whose legacy is changing the lives of survivors and their pets for generations to come.

Karen Lindemann had a deep, lasting love for her companions. She had a 150-pound dog who was devoted to her, and nursed Quinn, a rescue cat, back to health after she became ill with feline leukemia.

This love inspired Karen to connect with staff at 180 Turning Lives Around, a nonprofit in Monmouth County that provides a refuge to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors while empowering them to heal. Karen understood that survivors couldn’t fully heal if they had to choose between leaving their pet and saving themselves. She also knew that no DV shelters had ever provided a safe house for both in New Jersey.

But Karen was undeterred. She championed the need for a sanctuary so passionately to the organization’s Board of Trustees that the board member who was most opposed to the idea became its staunchest advocate. Together, 180 Turning Lives Around and Karen created the first Safe House program for survivors and their pets in New Jersey that continues today.

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After our initial connection before the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems almost kismet that we would reconnect with the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV) in 2023, just when they started conversations with the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ) about a generous donor’s legacy fund. In the words of Mary Trinity, Associate Director of NJCEDV, “magic happened” from there.

RedRover and Greater Good Charities’ collaborative project, Don’t Forget the Pets, is committed to supporting the collaborative effort, which included NJCEDV, CFNJ, and 180 Turning Lives Around. Together, these organizations are committed to helping more domestic violence organizations in the state create pet programming, so no survivor has to choose between safety and their pet.

And that “magic” continues today. That fund officially launched in September 2024 as Quinn’s Corner Fund and provides critical financial support for pet programming at the state level (with NJCEDV’s “Access, Advocacy and Pets Manager”) and at individual organizations throughout New Jersey.

I was honored to join this amazing, collaborative team for a panel discussion on this effort last month at NJCEDV’s conference. We discussed the importance of pet programming, as well as the challenges and the opportunities. And, of course, the available resources to help organizations create effective and sustainable programming that recognizes all members of the family (pets included).

Although I didn’t know her personally, I do know that Karen Lindemann’s legacy lives on. It was her undeterred spirit that helped move 180 Turning Lives Around towards pet inclusion, and it continues today through the Quinn’s Corner Fund. Because of Karen, more survivors will find safety and healing with their pets. Read more about Quinn’s Corner Fund here.