By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager –
Sutton* was relieved and grateful to be able to stay with her family when she first fled from an abuser, especially because her three sweet cats could come with her. Aurora, Plume, and Pluto* had become very timid after witnessing the physical and verbal abuse Sutton endured, and they were particularly afraid of men. All four of them needed time and one another to heal.
Aurora had been with Sutton the longest. Sutton felt she was her true emotional support animal and they shared a special bond. Aurora seemed to know when Sutton was upset, and she would rally all of the cats to love on Sutton and sleep near her to bring her comfort. Plume was living on the street when Sutton rescued her. It seemed that Sutton was the first person to have ever shown her care. And baby boy Pluto was a gift from Sutton’s brother. She had always wanted a male orange cat to name Pluto, and now she had a “cat dog,” who followed her around everywhere and always wanted to be with her. At just one year old, he still felt separation anxiety when Sutton had to leave.
But they were finally at a point where Sutton didn’t need to worry about her cats, and the cats didn’t need to worry about her. They were all safe together.
Unfortunately, Sutton and the cats would no longer be able to stay with her family. While she would be able to stay in a domestic violence shelter, the shelter had a no pets policy and Sutton didn’t have other options for a safe place for them to stay. Well, she just didn’t know that she still had one lifesaving option:
With help from her shelter advocate, Sutton applied for and received a RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant. Aurora, Plume, and Pluto were safely boarded together at a nearby facility. Not only could Sutton visit them when she wanted to, but she decided to volunteer so she could be close to and help care for them. Knowing that they were safe and loved made all the difference for Sutton to be able to focus on herself and her safety, making it easier to eventually transition out of the shelter and into a new home with her three babies.
We are glad to know that, as a part of our compassionate community, you are committed to keeping pets and families safe together. Thank you!
*Names have been changed to protect privacy
