REDROVER TAKES THE LEAD FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Did you know that domestic violence survivors often
stay in abusive homes for fear of the abuse their pet
may suffer if they leave? And did you know that even
if they do leave, only 10 percent of domestic violence
shelters in the U.S. accept pets? October is Domestic
Violence Awareness Month, and RedRover is working
to break down the barriers to safety by raising
awareness about the issue and providing grants that
enable survivors to escape abuse with their pets.
Through its domestic violence assistance work,
RedRover has provided safe haven for thousands of
animals. Since helping its first survivor of domestic
violence with a RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant
in 2007, RedRover has awarded 767 grants to help
1,350 people with 30,232 nights of boarding for their
pets. Since 2012, RedRover has given 100 Safe
Housing grants to domestic violence shelters in 37
states, totaling more than $850,000.
“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity
to let survivors know that there are resources
available to keep them safe
and together with their pet, and
RedRover can help.” RedRover
President and CEO Nicole
Forsyth said.Earlier this year,
RedRover joined forces with
Purina to launch the Purple
Leash Project, an extension of
RedRover’s Safe Housing program.
These grants allow shelters
to build on-site housing
for pets.
During the month of October,
RedRover + Purina’s
Purple Leash Project are
holding a “Take the Lead”
social media challenge to
help raise awareness about
the need for more petfriendly
domestic violence
shelters. Participants will
post pictures with their pets
wearing either a limitededition
Purple Leash Project
leash or cat collar and
share why they are taking
the lead on this issue.
RedRover and Purina
will continue to work towards the goal of having at
least one pet-friendly domestic violence shelter
in each state. Currently, Hawaii, Mississippi, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island and West Virginia shelters
have NO pet-friendly domestic violence shelters.
We strongly encourage the shelters in these states
to apply for Safe Housing grants and Purple Leash
Projects grants. Deadlines to apply for the grants are
May 15 and October 15 each year. To learn more,
visit: https://redrover.org/SafeHousing.
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 education. For
the fourth consecutive year, RedRover has earned
a 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.