Over $500,000 in grants awarded to create more pet-friendly domestic violence shelters

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RedRover announced it has awarded $572,501 in Safe Housing grants, the most ever given in a single round. With help from Purina and PetSmart Charities, Safe Housing grants are available up to $60,000 to help fund shelters building or renovating spaces dedicated to houses survivor’s pets, creating a foster program, paying for temporary boarding, or a combination of all. The grants can also be used for routine veterinary care and emergencies as well as pet deposits.

“We’re thrilled these grants can help domestic violence shelters overcome barriers to creating pet-friendly spaces, enabling even more survivors and their pets to escape abuse. We will keep working diligently to ensure that 25% of domestic violence shelters become pet friendly by 2025,” expressed Nicole Forsyth, president and chief executive officer of RedRover, in an organizational release.¹

The following 11 domestic violence shelters and 1 animal shelter were awarded Safe Housing grants:¹

• RedRover and Purina Purple Leash Project domestic violence shelter grantees:
  • The Women’s Safe House, St. Louis County, Missouri - $60,000
  • TSafelight Inc., Henderson County, North Carolina - $60,000
  • F.A.I.T.H. Inc., Rabun County, Georgia - $60,000
  • Schuylkill Hope Center, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania - $60,000
• Domestic violence shelter grantees:
  • Sunrise of Pasco County, Inc., Pasco County, Florida - $60,000 (funded by PetSmart Charities)
  • Peace River Center for Personal Development, Inc., Polk County, Florida - $60,000 (funded by PetSmart Charities)
  • Steps to End Domestic Violence, Chittenden County, Vermont - $57,000 (funded by PetSmart Charities)
  • Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Pierce and St. Croix Counties, Wisconsin - $60,000
  • Domestic Violence Resource Center, Washington County, Oregon - $16,502
  • Women’s Advocates, Ramsey County, Minnesota - $18,200
  • YWCA of Kitsap County, Kitsap County, Washington - $40,800
• Animal shelter grantee:
  • Big Sky CARES, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana - $20,000

“Steps to End Domestic Violence is thrilled to receive RedRover’s Safe Housing grant! It increases access to our services by transforming our shelter into a pet-friendly facility,” said Nicole Kubon, executive director of Steps to End Domestic Violennce. “Soon we’ll be welcoming all pets into our building, removing a significant barrier for many survivors in their efforts to flee domestic violence. No one should have to leave their pets behind and, thanks to RedRover, the people we serve won't have to.”

Safe Housing grant application deadlines are March, June, and September 1st, 2023. To learn more, visit RedRover.org/SafeHousing.

Reference

$500K+ Grants Awarded to Keep Pets Safe and Families Together. News release. RedRover. May 17, 2023. Accessed May 17, 2023.