RedRover Awarded $1.3 Million in Grants in 2025 To Keep Survivors and Pets Together When Escaping Abuse
Sacramento, California (December 9, 2025) – RedRover®, a national animal welfare 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has awarded $1,335,518 in Safe Housing grant funding in 2025, including $391,431, in their last grant round of the year. Thanks in part to Purina, PetSmart Charities, and an anonymous donor, seven domestic violence (DV) shelters and two animal shelters can create or expand programming for survivors’ pets. Three domestic violence shelters received RedRover + Purina’s Purple Leash Project (PLP) grants, an extension of RedRover’s Safe Housing grants.
The funding will support:
- Installation of indoor and outdoor pet amenities, such as covered dog runs and play yards
- Veterinary care
- Grooming areas
- Pet supplies
- Pet boarding
RedRover President and CEO Katie Campbell said, “It was a light bulb moment for me when I learned that survivors often delay escaping an abuser for fear of leaving their pet behind. Our grants enable shelters to create essential pet-friendly programming so no survivor faces the impossible choice of leaving a family member behind.”
DV Shelter Grantees:
- California: Family Assistance Program, San Bernardino County, $10,000
- Georgia:
- International Women’s House, DeKalb County, $24,200 (PLP grantee)
- Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center, Whitfield County, $56,000
- Kentucky: Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, Floyd County, $26,360 (PLP grantee)
- Minnesota: Women’s Shelter and Support Center, Olmsted County, $44,188
- *Utah: New Horizons Crisis Center, Sevier County, $60,000 (PLP grantee)
- Washington: Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center, Mason County, $50,683
Animal Shelter Grantees:
- Missouri: Central Missouri Humane Society, Boone County, $60,000
- Utah: Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering, Salt Lake County, $60,000
*Shelters creating their first pet-friendly program.
Mountain Comprehensive Care Center’s Healing Program for Survivors of Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Program Director, Heather Greene, said, “Thank you for choosing us as a Purple Leash Project grantee. This Purple Leash Project grant will allow us to provide pet essentials during their owners’ stay at our shelter. We believe healing happens, especially when you incorporate the love and support for pets.”
“The Women’s Shelter and Support Center is deeply grateful to RedRover for this generous Safe Housing grant,” said Executive Director, Artyce Thomas. “These funds will allow us to create safe spaces where survivors and their beloved pets can heal together. Far too often, victims choose not to seek shelter because they have nowhere safe for their fur babies. This support will help remove that barrier, providing not only secure shelter accommodations, but also food, vaccines, and essential pet supplies, ultimately saving even more lives.”
“We are grateful for RedRover and Purina’s Purple Leash Project grant, which allows us to ensure that survivors of domestic violence never have to choose between their safety and their beloved pets,” said Debbie Mayo, executive director, New Horizons Crisis Center.” This support helps us provide safe shelter and healing for both survivors and their animal companions.”
“RedRover’s Safe Housing grant will allow us to expand safe options for survivors and their pets, ensuring families can remain together during moments of crisis,” said Ruffhaven Crisis Sheltering Co-Founder/Co-Director Kristina Pulsipher. “This support strengthens our ability to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care and removes a major barrier for survivors seeking safety.”
Family Assistance Program Executive Director Darryl Evey said, “We have been housing pets with their families at our shelter for victims of domestic violence for over 15 years. With this support from RedRover, we will be able to double our capacity and help even more families fleeing violence.”
Jennifer Neal Clark, Esq., MFT, executive director, International Women’s House said, “Thanks to RedRover + Purina’s Purple Leash Project, we can offer survivors safety without the heartbreak of leaving their pets behind – keeping families, including their beloved animals, together during crisis and transition.”
“We are beyond grateful to have received a Safe Housing grant from RedRover,” said Central Missouri Humane Society Executive Director Julie Aber. “This grant will help transform our ASN (Animal Safety Net) program and serve dozens of deserving animals each year. Thank you, RedRover!”
Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center Executive Director Meg Quinlivan said, “We are grateful for RedRover’s Safe Housing grant, which will allow us to build a safe and comfortable kennel on our property. This new space will ensure that survivors no longer must choose between their safety and their beloved pets.”
“We are deeply grateful for RedRover’s Safe Housing grant, which will allow us to provide safe, temporary shelter for the pets of survivors fleeing domestic violence, said Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center’s Executive Director Katora Printup. “This support helps remove a major barrier to safety, ensuring that both survivors and their beloved animals can begin the healing process together.”
RedRover is grateful for its partners and donors for supporting survivors and their pets. KONG® is providing dog and cat toys and treats to all Safe Housing grantees through 2025. With the generosity of PetSmart Charities, RedRover and Greater Good Charities launched the 25 by 2025 campaign in 2023, with the support of Purina, to help 25% of DV shelters become pet friendly by the end of 2025. The current percentage of pet-friendly shelters is 19.5%.
Safe Housing grants of up to $60,000 are available for domestic violence and animal shelters. RedRover hopes to acquire more funding to support homeless shelters in 2026. Safe Housing grant application deadlines are March 1, June 1, and September 1.
Pets and Domestic Violence:
- 91% of survivors indicated that their pets’ emotional support and physical protection are significant in their ability to survive and heal
- 50% of survivors report that they would not consider shelter for themselves if they couldn’t take their pet with them.
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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 265 grants to shelters in 49 states, totaling more than $6.5 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.
Contact:
Sheri Madsen
916.600.8157