domestic violence

Safe Housing Grants Give Families a Second Chance for a Brighter Future

Sacramento, CA – RedRover©, a national animal welfare organization, announces its latest grant recipients who are receiving more than $49,000 in funding to five domestic violence shelters across the United States, enabling the shelters to create on-site space to house pets through the Safe Housing program.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, more than 70 percent of pet-owning women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their batterer had injured, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or psychological control. Up to 48 percent of domestic violence victims are unable to escape their abusers because they fear what will happen to their pets when they leave.

Nicole Forsyth, RedRover President & CEO, states, “RedRover is happy that we can expand this program and now award grants up to $20,000, up from $6,000. It’s crucial that every domestic violence survivor has access to a pet-friendly shelter in their state; it can truly be a matter of life or death if they do not.”

Since 2010, RedRover has awarded $287,500 in grants through the Safe Housing program, keeping thousands of families and pets together. The following domestic violence shelters received Safe Housing grant awards during this application period:

• Arising Hope – Eastlake, CO – $6,000
• HEAL, Inc. & The Nest – Ruidoso Downs, NM- $5,280
• Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence – Decatur, GA – $4,600
• Alternatives Incorporated – Anderson, IN – $17,300
• Willow Domestic Violence Center – Rochester, NY- $16,600

According to Sheltering Animals and Families Together (SAF-T), only a fraction of shelters in the United States house animals onsite. RedRover is partnering with SAF-T to work toward the goal of having at least one pet-friendly domestic violence shelter in each state. Shelters in the following states do NOT house pets onsite and are encouraged to apply for Safe Housing grants: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and West Virginia.

Deadlines to apply for Safe Housing grants are May 15 and October 15 each year. To learn more, visit: https://redrover.org/SafeHousing.

About RedRover
Since 1987, RedRover has focused on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the human animal bond through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. Through their RedRover Relief program, they have helped thousands of animals and provided thousands of safe nights across the United States. For the third consecutive year, RedRover has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. To learn more, please visit RedRover.org.

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Contact:

Sheri Madsen
916.429.2457 ext. 310
916.600.8157 cell
smadsen@redrover.org

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