Oliver’s DV Survivor Story

By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager –

While we often think of domestic violence survivors as women, statistics show that an estimated one in four men experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetimes, including men like Oliver*.

During and after the abuse, Oliver and his kitten, Elektra*, would hold each other for comfort. He had endured physical abuse, but once the abuser began making death threats, he knew he could no longer stay in the home they shared. He seized the opportunity to leave one night while the abuser was away, but in his rush to get to safety, he wasn’t prepared to bring Elektra with him. Now that he was in the domestic violence shelter, it was the first time they had ever been apart, and Oliver couldn’t sleep at all that night worrying what might happen to her. Was she safe? Did she need him?

After a difficult night, Oliver met with his landlord the next morning to retrieve his belongings and return the house key while the abuser was gone. To his great relief, Elektra hadn’t been harmed and was resting comfortably in their usual spot. He scooped her up and returned to the shelter, where his advocate was waiting to help him find a safe place for her to stay. She hadn’t finished her core kitten vaccines either, and would need them before she could be boarded. Fortunately, the RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant program addresses all of a survivor’s pet’s needs to find safety.

Having Elektra safely boarded gave Oliver the time he needed in the domestic violence shelter to heal emotionally and prepare for the next steps, including finding pet-friendly housing they could share. They spent several weeks apart, but when they finally reunited, their bond was stronger than it had ever been. He was grateful that he had kept her safe throughout the abuse and when they couldn’t be together, too. And because your support makes Safe Escape grants possible, he was grateful for you, RedRover and Purina’s Purple Leash Project community.

*Names have been changed to protect privacy

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