Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Join RedRover for Guest Presentations
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and an opportunity to show support for domestic violence survivors and their pets, and for advocates and others to unite in their work to end domestic abuse. We here at RedRover are excited to offer four special guest presentations, highlighting the importance of keeping survivors and their pets together and safe, how animal welfare experts can provide support, the benefits of becoming a pet-friendly organization, and how students in social work, veterinary medicine and public health can support survivors and their pets. We hope you can join us!
The Importance of Keeping Survivors and their Pets Together
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
1 - 2 PM PST on Zoom
Join RedRover and representatives from Purina (RedRover's Purple Leash Project partner), DomesticShelters.org, and National Organization for Victim Advocacy on September 30 for a discussion on the national scope of including pets in sheltering plans.
Hosted by Katie Campbell, President and CEO, RedRover
Panel:
- Claire Ponder-Selib, Executive Director, National Organization for Victim Advocacy
- Ashley Rumschlag, National Director, DomesticShelters.org
- Lorie Westoff, Sr. Director of Corporate PR, Purina/Purple Leash Project
- Candice Amundson, Domestic Violence Survivor & Advocate
Join us to learn how you can empower your local community and organizations you're a part of, to advocate for survivors and their pets, and help us ensure more survivors and their pets are safe from harm.
People, Pets, and Community Wellbeing
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
11 AM - 12 PM PST on Zoom
Join RedRover President and CEO, Katie Campbell, to discuss how animal welfare groups and veterinary providers can make a big impact on human health and wellbeing.
In this session, we'll chat with Stacey Zeitlin, VP for Community Impact at San Diego Humane Society and Dr. Sarah Reidenbach, CEO and lead veterinarian for Ruthless Kindness, a non-profit mobile veterinary clinic serving Sonoma County. Learn how these two nonprofits use innovative programs and community partnerships to provide direct support to domestic violence shelters, survivors, and pets!
How Pet-Friendly Sheltering Expands Beyond Your Walls
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
11 AM - 12 PM PST on Zoom
Think pet-friendly sheltering ends at your shelter walls? Think again!
In this one-hour session, we'll be joined by staff from Safe Voices, a pet-inclusive domestic violence resource center based in Maine. Learn how pet-friendly sheltering can positively impact your agency through donor connections, staff morale, earned media, and—of course—improved safety and quality of life for survivors.
How Students Can Support Pets and People in Crisis
Friday, October 24, 2025
11 AM - 1 PM PST on Zoom
Join RedRover and the National Academies of Practice (NAP) for a special presentation on supporting domestic violence survivors and pets. In this 2-hour session, students will explore the interconnections between domestic violence, pets, and healthcare, with a focus on social work and veterinary medicine. Participants will leave this training prepared to support people and pets in crisis during their schooling and in their communities.
This Lunch & Learn is open to anyone, but content will be geared toward current students pursuing degrees in social work, veterinary medicine, and public health.
The Survivor’s Story That Sparked Linus’ Pet Haven
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
11 AM - 12 PM PST on Zoom
Discover the story behind Linus’ Pet Haven, Minnesota Twin Cities' first co-sheltering program for survivors and their pets.
In this one-hour session, survivor and advocate Candice Amundson will share how her own experience—facing the impossible choice between safety and staying with her dog—sparked a movement that transformed Alexandra House into a model for shelters nationwide. Learn about the challenges, community partnerships, and life-saving impact that followed this shelter's decision to allow families and pets to heal together.