Five Domestic Violence Shelters to Welcome Pets for First Time
Sacramento, CA (November 15, 2022) – RedRover has reached a major milestone by awarding more than $3 million in Safe Housing grants! Safe Housing grants enable domestic violence (DV) shelters to create on- and off-site space to house survivors’ pets. Five of the grants are RedRover + Purina Purple Leash Project grants, an extension of RedRover’s Safe Housing grants, funded by Purina.
Pets and Domestic Violence:
- As many as 71% of pet-owning women entering DV shelters report their abuser injured, killed, or threatened family pets.
- Up to 48% of DV victims reported delaying leaving their abusers for fear of what would happen if they had to leave their pets behind.
- Currently, only 15% of DV shelters nationwide can house pets.
RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth said, “Pets are family and a source of great comfort at a time of crisis. Providing funding so shelters can build pet-friendly spaces allows survivors and their beloved pets a safe space to escape together and begin their healing process.”
This grant cycle, RedRover has given $421,675 in grant funds to nine domestic violence shelters nationwide, five of which can welcome pets for the first time*:
Purple Leash Project Grantees (funded by Purina):
- Doorways, Arlington County, Virginia – $60,000
- *YWCA Missoula, Missoula County, Montana – $20,000
- *YWCA NorthEastern NY, Schenectady County, New York – $60,000
- *Battered Women’s Shelter, Summit County, Ohio – $60,000
- Newhouse, Jackson County, Missouri – $58,275
Safe Housing Grantees:
- Center for Prevention of Abuse (CFPA), Peoria County, Illinois – $53,400
- S.H.A.R.E. House, Inc., Douglas County, Georgia – $30,000
- *Haven, Gallatin County, Montana – $60,000
- *Safe Voices, Franklin County, Maine – $20,000
“Together with RedRover, we are building toward a future where survivors and their pets have more options to leave and find safety together,” said Nina Leigh Krueger, CEO and President of Purina. “Providing Purple Leash Project grants to shelters is key to reaching our goal of helping to ensure that at least 25% of DV shelters are pet-friendly by the end of 2025. And we are well on our way.”
“S.H.A.R.E. House is excited to be selected to be a RedRover grant recipient,” said S.H.A.R.E House Executive Director, Teresa Smith. “The grant will now allow the victims we serve in our emergency shelter to place their animal with a local animal hospital. The RedRover grant has also enabled S.H.A.R.E. House to develop a special partnership with a veterinarian who reached out to our agency in requesting a chance to serve animals loved by domestic violence victims, thereby, reducing the victims fear of leaving since they will know there is a safe place close to house their pet.”
“Safe Voices knows the power of animals to help people heal, and it’s so important to us to ensure that survivors entering our shelter are able to do so with the pet they know, love, and who will bring them comfort,” said Safe Voices Director of Shelter & Housing Noelle Coyne. “These animals have often been subject to the abuser’s mistreatment, so having a pet friendly shelter is not just good for survivors – it’s also safest for pets. We’re so grateful to work with RedRover, because they understand all of that.”
Safe Housing grants are available up to $60,000 and can be used to build or renovate spaces dedicated to housing survivors’ pets, to create a foster program, to pay for temporary boarding, or can be used for a combination of services. Funds may also go toward routine veterinary care, emergency veterinary care, and pet deposits.
“We often look to our pets as a source of support and unconditional love, during happy times and also during times of crisis,” said Carol Merna, Chief Executive Officer of Center for Prevention of Abuse. “Thanks to RedRover and the $53,000 grant they have awarded CFPA, our clients can focus on healing in our shelter and know their beloved pets are safe and well taken care of with our partners at Tender Care Animal Hospital.”
“Pets are vital members of people’s lives, said Courtney Thomas, President + CEO of Newhouse. “They are part of the family. Too often, people facing domestic violence stay in unsafe situations because they cannot take their beloved pets with them. Thanks to RedRover + Purina’s Purple Leash Project grant, survivors no longer have to decide between staying in a dangerous situation or leaving their pets behind. At Newhouse, we know the healing power and health benefits of pet ownership, and our goal is to remove the barrier of housing and keep pets and people together whenever possible.”
Safe Housing grant application deadlines are March 1, June 1, and September 1. To learn more, visit: RedRover.org/SafeHousing.
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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 185 grants to shelters in 46 states, totaling more than $3 million and providing more than 443,000 safe nights for pets. 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.