Learn How You Can Support Survivors and Their Pets during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Petting Dog Smiling At The Camera. 

Sacramento, California (October 5, 2026) – Did you know that 50% of domestic violence (DV) survivors report that they would not consider shelter for themselves if they couldn’t take their pet with them? 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and a chance to show your support for domestic violence survivors and their pets. Since 2007, RedRover has helped domestic violence survivors and their pets seek safety through grants that provide temporary boarding while a survivor is in a shelter that doesn’t allow animals, and grants that allow domestic violence shelters and animal shelters to create pet housing programs dedicated to survivors’ pets.  

In honor of DVAM, RedRover is hosting an online series with special guest speakers to hear unique perspectives on the link between domestic violence and animal abuse, the power of the human-animal bond, pet housing programs, and how partnerships can strengthen the efforts for more survivors and pets to escape abuse together. See the full series below: 

Webinar: Domestic Violence and Pets: Advancing Safety and Healing

Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. PST on Zoom

This virtual panel will bring together leaders from across the fields of domestic violence, human services, and animal welfare to explore the human-animal bond, the growing movement toward pet-inclusive services and housing, and why collaboration is essential to creating safer pathways for survivors and their pets. Panelists include: Katie Ray-Jones of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Ashley Rumschlag of DomesticShelters.org, Liz Graham of 180 Turning Lives Around, and Shoshana Mostoller of My Dog is My Home. Together they will share insights, resources, and opportunities to advance this work in communities nationwide.

Podcast: Safe Futures and the Protect Our Pets Initiative

Monday, October 12, 2026

Anything is possible when compassion meets action. RedRover President and CEO, Katie Campbell, sits down with the shelter staff of Safe Futures in Connecticut to learn how their community collaboration builds a sustainable safety net for pet families in crisis.

Guest Blog: What Would You Do to Make Sure Your Pet Was Safe?

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Read how the dedicated staff at Peace at Home Family Shelter’s advocates rallied Northwest Arkansas under one goal – to fund and build a pet sanctuary on shelter grounds. Follow their journey to creating and maintaining the Candy Clark Pet Sanctuary.

Webinar: Impactful Partnerships: Supporting Both Ends of the Leash 

Thursday, October 29, 2026, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. PST on Zoom

Join us for a conversation about the power of partnerships to support both people and pets experiencing domestic violence. Panelists Noa Hefer of Nestlé Purina, and Alexandra Sheedy-Rodriguez of Reed Smith LLP will explore how business and nonprofit leaders can leverage their expertise, resources, and networks – from legal support and grant funding to public awareness campaigns – to strengthen vital services and advance safety for survivors and their pets.

To register for the webinar sessions or view the podcast and blog, once live, visit: redrover.org/DVAM

Other ways you can support survivors and their pets:

• Wear purple on Purple Thursday, October 15, 2026, to show your support 
• Add a purple ribbon to your professional and/or social media pages
• Visit RedRover.org/DVAM to sign up for our DVAM online series 
• Organize clothing, food, and/or a pet supplies drive for a local domestic violence shelter 
• Support your local domestic violence shelter’s “wish list”
• Become a RedRover Responders volunteer for a chance to participate in a DV shelter renovation project
• Donate to RedRover + Purina’s Purple Leash Project to help create more safe spaces for survivors and their pets. 
• Visit Shop.PurpleLeashProject.com for exclusive items and apparel that support survivors and pets. 100% of your purchase is a donation.
• Like and share social media posts about DVAM. A few organizations to consider following on social media:
  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)
  • DomesticShelters.org: Includes a comprehensive database for domestic violence shelters with pet-friendly programs 
  • SafeHavensForPets.org: Includes a comprehensive database for domestic violence shelters and homeless shelters with pet-friendly programs 
• Purchase specially marked pet food. Now through November 15, 2026, Purina is donating $0.05 for every purchase of specially marked packages to RedRover, up to $500K. Brands include: Beneful, Pro Plan, Tidy Cats, Cat Chow, Fancy Feast, Busy Bone, and Friskie’s Party Mix.

We hope you can join us in supporting survivors and their pets during DVAM, and beyond.