REDROVER GRANT FUNDING TO SEVEN SHELTERS WILL HELP VICTIMS ESCAPE ABUSE WITH ENTIRE FAMILY
January 14, 2014 – RedRover, a national nonprofit organization based in Sacramento, California, has distributed a total of $20,000 in grants to seven domestic violence shelters throughout the county 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 65 percent of domestic violence victims are unable to escape their abusers because they fear what will happen to their pets when they leave. According to Sheltering Animals and Families Together (SAF-T), a national initiative that guides family violence shelters on how to welcome families with pets, only a fraction of the 2,500 domestic violence shelters in the United States report having the ability to house animals onsite.
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 2013:
- Clarina Howard Nichols Center in Morrisville, Vermont
- GreenHouse17 in Lexington, Kentucky
- Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs in Appleton, Wisconsin
- Lake Family Resource Center in Kelseyville, California
- Operation Care in Jackson, California
- Peace River Center in Bartow, Florida
- Rose Brooks Center, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri
“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.”
“The RedRover Safe Housing grant will help us eliminate barriers to victims seeking our services and build awareness about how human abuse and animal abuse often coincide”, said Darlene Thomas, Executive Director of GreenHouse17. “By creating a haven for animals in need, we can assure their safety while keeping them close to their loving humans.”Â
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 RedRover.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Leili Khalessi
916.429.2457 ext. 314
# # #