October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to advocate for survivors and build stronger avenues to safety for all who are impacted by violence, including pets. RedRover is working year-round to help animals in need and the people that love them.
Too many survivors of domestic violence are forced to leave their pets behind when they escape their abuser. Here are some of the ways RedRover is helping keep domestic violence survivors and their pets together:
- RedRover provides financial assistance to help survivors pay for pet boarding, food, and veterinary care.
- RedRover helps survivors find pet-friendly shelters and transitional housing.
- RedRover provides resources to help more shelters become pet friendly.
RedRover’s work is making a difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors and their pets. In 2022 we helped 302 animals and provided 11,985 nights of boarding through our Safe Escape grants, and awarded Safe Housing grants to organizations to assist more than 204 individuals. And just this year, RedRover launched the 25 by 2025 campaign, a push to get 25% of domestic violence shelters to become pet friendly by 2025!
Keep reading to learn more about these programs and how you can get involved.
The 25 by 2025 Campaign
In 2023, RedRover launched the 25 by 2025 campaign, in partnership with Purina and Greater Good Charities’ Rescue Rebuild, and powered by Petsmart Charities – a national campaign to ensure that 25% of domestic violence shelters in the United States are pet friendly by 2025.
Through this campaign we’re working to raise awareness of the connection between domestic violence and pets, and to provide the resources shelters need to transition their facilities to accept pets.
We’re excited to share that we’re almost 75% of the way to our goal! Currently, 18.65% of domestic violence shelters in the United States are pet friendly.
We’re looking for more people to Take the Pledge to support this cause and reach out to their community to help further the campaign! Take the 25 by 2025 Pledge Now.
Safe Escape Grants
The RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant program helps families with pets safely escape domestic violence together. Funding is mainly provided to help with the cost of temporary pet boarding while a client is in a domestic violence shelter, though grants occasionally cover other costs associated with boarding like vaccinations.
Grants are awarded on a case-by-case basis, and the amount of the grant will vary depending on the individual’s needs. Grants can range from $500 to $1,500.
Through these grants, RedRover can provide hundreds of pets with a safe place to land each year, and, in turn, provide their owners the chance to escape violence safely, knowing their pet will be there when they find permanent housing.
Safe Housing Grants
While RedRover’s Safe Escape grants offer support in situations where shelters won’t accept pets, Safe Housing grants address the opposite side of the problem by ensuring that more shelters are prepared to accommodate both pets and families, thus keeping them together. RedRover provides grants of up to $60,000 to nonprofit domestic violence and animal organizations across the United States. Funding may be used to build or renovate spaces dedicated to housing survivor’s pets, begin a foster program to care for survivor’s pets, pay for temporary boarding for survivor’s pets, or a combination of services that will best serve your community. Grant funds may also be used for routine veterinary care, emergency veterinary care, and pet deposits.
In 2023, RedRover has awarded more than 200 Safe Housing grants, helping remove a major barrier for survivors seeking safety.
