Purple Leash Project

Seven NEW Pet-friendly Domestic Violence Shelters

Sacramento, California (August 19, 2024) – Did you know 50% of domestic violence (DV) victims would not consider shelter for themselves if they could not take their pets with them?

RedRover®, a national animal welfare nonprofit, believes that pets are family and that no one should have to choose between their safety and their pet. Thanks in part to Purina and PetSmart Charities, RedRover awarded $414,527 in Safe Housing grants to nine DV shelters to create or expand pet housing programs for survivors’ pets this grant round.

Pets and Domestic Violence:

• 91% of survivors indicated their pets’ emotional support and physical protection are significant in their ability to survive and heal
• Currently a little more than 19% of DV shelters nationwide are pet friendly

RedRover President and CEO Katie Campbell said, “We’re thrilled we can help eight shelters create programs to welcome survivors’ pets for the first time, and expand services for another. With each new pet-friendly shelter, lives are saved on both ends of the leash.”

Safe Housing grants of up to $60,000 are available. Funds can be used to build or renovate spaces dedicated to housing DV survivors’ pets, to create a foster program, and more.

RedRover + Purina Purple Leash Project DV Shelter Grantees:

• Colorado: Boulder County, *Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (SPAN), $60,000: Renovate nine rooms with pet-friendly flooring, painting, add enrichment, build multiple outdoor play yards
• Louisiana: East Baton Rouge County, *Capital Area Family Violence Intervention Center d/b/a Iris Domestic Violence Center, $60,000: Build outdoor dog kennel, purchase pet supplies, cover veterinary and boarding costs
• Oklahoma: Payne County, *Wings of Hope Family Crisis Services, $43,205: Build onsite kennels for dogs and cats

DV Shelter Grantees:

• Alabama: Lee County, *Domestic Violence Intervention Center (DVIC) $60,000 (funded by PetSmart Charities): Build pet shelter, cover veterinary care, boarding costs and pet supplies
• Indiana: Marion County, *Coburn Place Safe Haven, $24,285 (funded by PetSmart Charities): Add gate enclosure for pet play yard, cover veterinary care and supplies
• Minnesota shelters:
• • Hennepin County, *Tubman, $60,000 (in-part funded by PetSmart Charities): Build dog and cat kennels, outdoor dog runs and indoor play and lounge area for survivors and pets, and cover veterinary costs
  • Anoka County, *Alexandra House, Inc., $60,000: Renovate three bedrooms into pet retreats, build a large play area, purchase pet supplies, and cover veterinary cost
  • Crow Wing County, Relationship Safety Alliance, $3,510: Install pet-friendly flooring, cover veterinary costs
• Washington: King County, *LifeWire, $43,527 (funded by PetSmart Charities): Covers veterinary costs, basic necessities, and pet deposits for hotel vouchers

 *Shelters creating their first pet-friendly program.

Tubman Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Polzin said, “With the support of the RedRover’s Safe Housing grant, Tubman is creating Harriet’s Haven for Pets. Located onsite, this new pet-dedicated space will offer domestic violence survivors a safe home for their furry family members as they make the journey from fear to freedom.”

“We are so grateful for and excited about our grant from RedRover,” said Celeste Evers, vice president of Mission Impact for Coburn Place. “This money will enable us to accommodate and provide care for so many pets, and we know that survivors’ lives and healing process will be made that much better by having their pets living here with them. Thank you again for this wonderful, much-needed support!”

“Thanks to RedRover’s Safe Housing grant, survivors can find safety, stability, and healing with their whole family, including treasured pets,” said LifeWire’s Homelessness Services Manager Karen Martinez. “

It will enable our shelter to provide basic necessities for survivors’ pets and help us cover pet deposits when disbursing hotel vouchers.”

With the generosity of PetSmart Charities, last year RedRover launched the 25 by 2025 campaign with Greater Good Charities, with the support of Purina. This national initiative aims to help 25% of DV shelters become pet friendly by 2025.

“Pets give us unconditional love,” said Kate Atema, director of community grants at PetSmart Charities. “We’re proud to support this important initiative to equip more domestic violence shelters to welcome these special members of the family.  We know survivors and their pets heal better together as they move forward.” 

RedRover has recently partnered with KONG toys and treats. KONG is supporting RedRover’s Safe Housing program and will provide dog and cat toys to all Safe Housing grantees in 2024.

Safe Housing grant application deadlines are March 1, June 1, and September 1.

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About RedRover

Founded in 1987, RedRover focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the human-animal bond through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance, and education. Since 2012, RedRover has awarded 229 grants to shelters in 46 states, totaling more than $4.9 million. Additionally, Safe Housing grants have created the first pet-friendly domestic violence shelter in 10 states! RedRover has earned a coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. To learn how RedRover is creating a more compassionate world, visit RedRover.org.