RedRover grant funding to six shelters will help victims escape abuse with entire family
January 11, 2013 – RedRover, a national nonprofit organization based in Sacramento, California, has distributed a total of $10,000 in grants to six domestic violence shelters so the shelters can create permanent space to house victims’ pets.
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. As many as 48 percent of domestic violence victims are unable to escape their abusers because they fear what will happen to their pets when they leave. Only three percent of shelters can house pets on-site; a portion provide off-site housing referrals while the majority of shelters do not offer any resources at all.
RedRover’s Safe Housing Grant program provides essential funding to domestic violence shelters to enable them to fund the creation of on-site space to house pets. The following shelters received grant awards in December, 2012:
- Alle-Kiski Area Hope Center, Inc. in Tarentum, PA
- Blue Water Safe Horizons in Port Huron, MI
- Colorado River Regional Crisis Shelter in Parker, AZ
- Metropolitan Center for Women and Children, Inc. in Jefferson, LA
- Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky, in Ashland, KY
- Shelter House, Inc. in Fort Walton Beach, FL
“Sadly, many domestic violence victims stay in abusive homes because they are afraid to leave their pets,” said Nicole Forsyth, RedRover President and CEO. “Their pets are often also victims of abuse, suffering from injuries and neglect. RedRover’s Safe Housing grants make it possible for victims to receive lifesaving sheltering services, reassured that their pets are protected.”
“We frequently have women call or come to us for shelter who are reluctant or refuse to leave unless they can take their pets with them. Pets are an important part of their support systems and families; they just need an appropriate place at our shelter,” stated Deniese Perez, Executive Director of the Colorado River Regional Crisis Shelter. “This grant will mean so much to the families we shelter.”
Founded in 1987, RedRover focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and into care through a variety of programs, including emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services, financial assistance for urgent veterinary care and humane education. Learn more at www.redrover.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Leili Khalessi 916.429.2457 ext. 314
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