Grants Allow Domestic Violence Shelters Flexibility to Save More Lives
Sacramento, CA – RedRover, a national animal welfare organization, launches two new lifesaving programs through the RedRover Relief Domestic Violence Assistance Program: Safe Housing Startup grants and Safe Housing Off-site grants.
RedRover’s Safe Housing Startup grants will allow domestic violence shelters to create their own programs to help victims of domestic violence and their pets escape together. These one-time grants, up to $20,000, are offered throughout the United States and can fund the proposed program for up to two years. Grant funds may be used to pay for the boarding costs associated with housing pets at an off-site veterinary clinic or pet boarding facility, and may also be used for veterinary care such as vaccinations.
RedRover Relief Safe Housing Off-Site grants enable domestic violence shelters to partner with another local organization, such as an animal shelter or rescue sanctuary, to build housing at their facility specifically for animals whose owners are staying at the domestic violence shelter. Grants, up to $20,000, are offered throughout the United States. Grant funds may be used to pay for building materials and supplies to create dedicated housing for the pets of people staying at a domestic violence shelter where pets are not allowed.
Nicole Forsyth, RedRover President & CEO, states:
“RedRover’s Safe Housing Startup Grants and Safe Housing Off-Site grants allow domestic violence shelters the flexibility to determine what works best to help domestic violence survivors and their pets leave an abusive environment. We know that not one size fits all, so we hope these additional programs can get more people and their beloved pets to safety.”
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, more than 70 percent of pet-owning women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their batterer had injured, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or psychological control. Up to 48 percent of domestic violence victims are unable to escape their abusers because they fear what will happen to their pets when they leave.
According to Sheltering Animals and Families Together (SAF-T), only a fraction of shelters in the United States house animals on-site. RedRover is partnering with SAF-T to work toward the goal of having at least one pet-friendly domestic violence shelter in each state. We encourage the shelters in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and West Virginia to apply for Safe Housing grants, as there are currently NO pet-friendly domestic violence shelters in these states. For a complete list of RedRover programs to help domestic violence victims escape their abusive situation with their pets visit redrover.org/relief.
Deadlines to apply for Safe Housing Startup and Safe Housing Off-Site grants are May 15 and October 15 each year. To learn more, visit: redrover.org/relief/safe-housing-startup-grants.
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. Through their RedRover Relief program, they have helped thousands of animals and provided thousands of safe nights across the United States. For the fourth consecutive year, RedRover has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. To learn more, please visit RedRover.org.
