Charleston, WV (August 14, 2020) – We’re pleased to announce that $80,000 in grants provided by the Purple Leash Project and GreaterGood.org will allow YWCA Charleston – Resolve Family Abuse Program to become the FIRST pet-friendly domestic violence shelter in the state of West Virginia! The Purple Leash Project is a partnership between RedRover and Purina with a goal of ensuring there is at least one pet-friendly domestic violence shelter in every state by the end of 2020. The YWCA Charleston transformation checks the state of West Virginia off the list, leaving only four states remaining: Hawaii, Mississippi, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
RedRover is teaming up with Rescue Rebuild, a program of GreaterGood.org, to help transform YWCA Charleston – Resolve Family Abuse Program into a pet-friendly domestic violence shelter. Rescue Rebuild repairs and renovates domestic violence shelters and animal shelters in need. In collaboration with Purina, RedRover provides Purple Leash Project Safe Housing grants to domestic violence shelters so they can build pet-friendly, co-sheltering spaces for survivors with pets, allowing them to escape abuse and heal together. Currently, as few as 17% of domestic violence shelters in the U.S. allow pets, according to RedRover’s SafePlaceforPets.org database.
Nicole Forsyth, President and CEO of RedRover, said, “RedRover is thrilled to partner once again with Rescue Rebuild to help YWCA Charleston welcome survivors’ pets on-site, and become the first shelter in the state to do so! We are grateful that our Purple Leash Project partnership with Purina enables more domestic violence survivors and their pets to seek safe haven together, and will continue our efforts to ensure no one has to choose between their safety and their pet.”
RedRover often supports domestic violence shelters by sending their staff and volunteers to help drive Rescue Rebuild’s projects, designs and construction expertise. Over seven days, RedRover staff will join the team to transform a building into a pet living room and visiting space where survivors can visit and play with their pets. The buildings will be freshly painted and equipped with pet-friendly flooring, dog doors, ramps, bedding, crates and other enrichment activities such as cat perches and bridges to make their stay less stressful and more enjoyable. Additionally, the team will build a dog play yard around the building to enable survivors and their pets more bonding time outdoors. The build is expected to last from August 10 – 26.
“We are so excited to help West Virginia open its first pet-friendly domestic violence shelter, and the opportunity to work with an amazing organization like the YWCA just makes this project even more special to us.,” said Bryna Donnelly, director of Rescue Rebuild.
“One of the most heartbreaking barriers for domestic violence victims seeking emergency shelter is that they fear for the safety of their pets if they leave them behind with their abusers. It has been a long-time dream of our program director to remove this barrier. Being our state’s first pet-friendly domestic violence shelter provides our clients with even more support needed to seek a life free of violence. We are so grateful to RedRover, Purina and GreaterGood Rescue Rebuild for their partnership to achieve this goal,” said Debby Weinstein, CEO, YWCA Charleston.
About RedRover
Since 1987, RedRover has focused on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the human-animal bond through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and humane education. Through their RedRover Relief program, they have helped thousands of animals and provided thousands of safe nights across the United States. To learn how RedRover is building a more compassionate future, visit RedRover.org.
About Purina
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations. Purina manufactures some of the world’s most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Fancy Feast and Tidy Cats. Our more than 8,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 49 million dogs and 66 million cats every year. More than 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.
Purina promotes responsible pet care through our scientific research, our products and our support for pet-related organizations. Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive. Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.
About GreaterGood.org
GreaterGood.org is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization, with a 100/100 rating on Charity Navigator, that works to improve the health and well-being of people, pets, and the planet. Over the last 12 years, GreaterGood.org has given over $250 million in cash and in-kind grants to over 3,000 charitable partners worldwide. To date, GreaterGood.org has provided over $15 Million in support for COVID-19 disaster-relief, including cash grants, in-kind supplies, and programmatic support.
About YWCA Charleston – Resolve Family Abuse Program
Since 1912, the YWCA Charleston has been fostering self-sufficiency and independence. The YWCA has evolved into the city’s most diverse and comprehensive network of social service programs assisting more than 5,000 individuals each year.
YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program offers 24/7 shelter, a crisis hotline and emergency intervention for victims of domestic violence. Providing services for the entire family in Kanawha, Clay and Boone counties, YWCA Resolve also offers case management, court advocacy, counseling, support groups, safety planning, monitored parent-child visitation/exchange, programs for children, and teen dating safety. Licensed by the West Virginia Family Protection Services Board, our mission is to eliminate domestic violence through leadership, education, empowerment and community collaboration.
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