Build Enables Shelter to House Pets with Survivors
Deroit, MI (October 20th – 25th 2018) – Safe Haven, an initiative of The Jackson Galaxy Project, a Signature Program of GreaterGood.org, is teaming up with RedRover to help domestic violence shelter First Step honor National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by opening their Ark Pet Center. Safe Haven strives to provide pet-friendly housing options for at-risk people requiring either temporary emergency or long-term transitional housing with their furry family member.
RedRover’s Safe Housing Grants fund domestic violence shelters enabling them to create pet-friendly, co-sheltering spaces. RedRover also supports domestic violence shelters by sending their volunteers to help drive Safe Haven’s projects, designs and construction expertise.
RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth said, “RedRover is excited to partner with Safe Haven on this special project, especially during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It’s gratifying to see firsthand how our Safe Housing grant helps this domestic violence shelter accept survivors and their pets together. RedRover believes that pets are family and that no one should have to choose between safety and family.”
“The human-animal bond is never more evident than when I think about 50% of women delaying leaving abusive situations for fear of leaving their animal behind,” said Bryna Donnelly, Director of Safe Haven. “Anything that Safe Haven can do to keep people and pets together is both extremely exciting and rewarding.”
Safe Haven and RedRover will work to complete a newly constructed building that will allow residents of First Step to keep their families together, including those with four furry legs! Outside projects will include constructing dog kennels and a new chain link play yard with enrichment and agility equipment, as well as sidewalks and landscaping. Inside the building, there are two rooms that will be made into a dog living rooms and a separate cat living room so that the residents can spend quality time with their pets.
“We know that families experiencing domestic violence often have pets that experience abuse as well. Concern for their pet’s safety can prevent survivors from leaving an abusive situation because they are afraid their animals may be injured or even killed, said Lori Kitchen-Bushel, First Step’s Executive Director. “We are thrilled that the volunteers from GreaterGood.org’s Safe Haven and Red Rover have teamed up to help us put the finishing touches on our new pet center. This dynamic group of volunteers will be installing fences, landscaping, a dog run/play area, sidewalks, furnishings, and decorations.”
About Safe Haven
Safe Have, an initiative of The Jackson Galaxy Project, a Signature Program of GreaterGood.org, strives to provide pet-friendly housing options for at-risk people requiring either temporary emergency or long-term transitional housing with their furry family member. The areas of focus include Domestic Violence Shelter, Homeless Shelters, and Veteran Housing options.
About The Jackson Galaxy Project
The Jackson Galaxy Project, founded in 2014, is a Signature Program of GreaterGood.org, a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Project is the realization of Jackson’s long-standing dream of improving the lives of animals at risk and helping the people who care for them.
About GreaterGood.org
GreaterGood.org is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works to improve the health and well-being of people, pets, and the planet. Over the last 10 years, GreaterGood.org has given over $150 million in cash and in-kind grants to over 5,000 charitable partners worldwide and created and operates several Signature Programs to help animals, including Rescue Rebuild and Rescue Bank. To learn more, visit GreaterGood.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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. To learn how RedRover is building a more compassionate future, visit redrover.org.
About First Step
Since 1978, First Step has been working for peaceful families and safe communities in Wayne County, Michigan. Their mission is to eliminate both domestic and sexual violence and to provide comprehensive services to individuals and families impacted by these crimes. First Step provides free and confidential programs for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. For more information, visit firststep-mi.org.
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Contact:
Sheri Madsen
916.429.2457 ext. 310
916.600.8157 cell
smadsen@redrover.org