Grants Keep Families Safe and Together
RedRover, a national nonprofit organization based in Sacramento, California, has distributed a total of $70,417 in grant funds to 12 domestic violence shelters throughout the United States in 2016, so the shelters can create pet-friendly lodging to house victims’ pets.
RedRover’s Safe Housing program provides essential funding to domestic violence shelters to enable them to create on-site space to house pets. The following shelters received Safe Housing grant awards for this application period in 2016:
- YWCA of Sweetwater County – Rock Springs, WY
- CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) – St. Petersburg, FL
- Hope Haven of Cass County – Harrisonville, MO
- Family Crisis Center- Farmington, NM
- Albany County SAFE Project – Laramie, WY
- First Step, Inc. – Wichita Falls, TX
- Marie Detty New Directions- Lawton, OK
- Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter – New Philadelphia, OH
- Rainbow House Domestic Abuse Services, Inc.- Marinette, WI
- First Step, The Western Wayne County Project on Domestic Assault – Plymouth, MI
- Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence – River Falls, WI
- DOVES of Big Bear Valley, Inc. – Big Bear Lake, CA
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.
“When a victim of domestic violence believes that there is nowhere safe for them to escape to with their pets, they may stay in the abusive relationship out of fear for their pets’ safety,” 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.”
More information about RedRover’s domestic violence programs can be found at RedRover.org/Domestic.
About RedRover
Founded in 1987, the mission of RedRover is to bring animals out of crisis and strengthen the bond between people and animals through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. RedRover accomplishes its mission by engaging volunteers and supporters, collaborating with others and maximizing the use of online technology. Learn more at RedRover.org.
Media contact
Keleigh Friedrich
Communications Coordinator II
kfriedrich@RedRover.org
916.429.2457 ext. 317
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