Domestic Violence and Pets
Learn more about how to support survivors with pets
The Issue
71% of women in domestic violence shelters report their abuser threatened, injured or killed a pet.
Nearly half of victims stay with an abuser rather than leave their pet behind.
52% of survivors in shelters leave their pets with the abusers.
As many as 25% of survivors will return because the abuser is using their pet as a means to get the person back.
Research shows abusers often have a pattern of violence towards all members of the household – including children and pets. When domestic violence survivors seek to flee an abuser, many are faced with the challenge of finding shelter for themselves, their children, and their pets. Many shelters do not have the means to house companion animals. Sadly, many survivors stay in with an abuser for fear that the abuse of their animals will escalate if they're left behind, or that threats to their animals will be used to compel them to go back.
What is RedRover Doing?
RedRover offers resources to help survivors and their pets find safety together
Safe Escape
Grants
Pays for pet boarding to help
families with pets safely escape
domestic violence together.
Safe Housing
Grants
Helps domestic violence and animal organizations build pet programs that work for survivors in their communities.
Purple Leash
Project
Provides funding and resources to domestic violence shelters who wish to house both survivors and their pets.
Don't Forget
the Pets
Training for domestic violence, homeless, and animal shelters to learn how to create and sustain pet housing programs.
25 by 2025 Movement
Aims to help 25% of domestic violence shelters become pet friendly by 2025. Take the pledge to join us!
Support Survivors
Download and print RedRover’s flyers about pets and domestic violence (PDF) and share with your local domestic violence and animal shelters, veterinarians, pet supply stores, and others who care.
Legislative Support: In 2017, Illinois became the first state to pass a law requiring all salon professionals to complete a one-hour training course on how to spot warning signs of abuse, offer verbal support and refer clients to crisis groups. Fourteen states have now introduced similar types of legislation. In addition, many states have enacted legislation to include pets in protection orders in cases of domestic abuse. Is your state one of them? Learn more.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
Join the
Purple Leash Project
Become a monthly donor at just $5 a month or make a one-time $60 donation to receive our limited-edition Purple Leash Project leash or cat collar. Your donation will help make pet-friendly domestic violence shelters more accessible to survivors.
Take Action
- Take the 25 by 2025 pledge to support survivors and get the toolkit at 25by2025.org.
- Notify shelters in your area about the resources and training available at DontForgetThePets.org.
- Tell others about RedRover’s domestic violence assistance grants and resources.
- Donate to support our grants.
- Contact your local representative if your state isn’t one of the 14 listed above.
- Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Support our work
By supporting our domestic violence assistance programs, you’ll help people and pets safely escape abuse – together.