Pets and Domestic Violence
A Companion Animal Care Article from All-Creatures.org

This Companion Animal Care article is being presented to help people seeking reliable resources, tips, and information for companion animals.

FROM

RedRover
May 2014

It is estimated that as many as 65 percent of domestic violence victims stay in abusive homes or delay leaving out of concern for the safety of their pets.

Download Red Rover’s flyer – PETS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Offenders of domestic violence often have a pattern of abusing all members of the household – including children and pets. It is estimated that as many as 65 percent of domestic violence victims stay in abusive homes or delay leaving out of concern for the safety of their pets.

Few family violence shelters have the ability to house pets and many victims must choose between leaving their pets behind and staying with their abuser. RedRover, a national nonprofit organization, offers two grant programs to address this issue.

“My dog is everything to me, she is all I have left in my life. She is my baby... You are a wonderful organization to help people in need, at a rough time in their life. You were God sent to me I feel. I can’t express my thanks enough. Thank you again.”
- Safe Escape Grant Recipient

“There are so many victims in abusive relationships who don’t leave home because they have nowhere for their pets to go. To know that their pets are in a safe place is such a relief. RedRover’s help is potentially lifesaving.”
- Diedra Davis of Resource & Crisis Center of Galveston County, Inc.

How RedRover Can Help

Safe Escape grants pay for temporary boarding and/or veterinary care to enable domestic violence victims to remove their pets to safety. For safety reasons, the application must be submitted by a shelter worker.

Safe Housing grants fund start-up costs for domestic violence shelters seeking to house pets on site. RedRover partners with Sheltering Animals and Families Together (SAF-T) to help shelters implement the program.

SafePlaceforPets.org is an online directory of pet support programs connecting people and pets with a safe escape from domestic violence.

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