RedRover + Purina’s Purple Leash Project Team with Greater Good Charities to Enable Domestic Violence Shelter to Welcome More Pets
We’re pleased to announce that $40,000 in grants provided by Greater Good Charities, BI Cares, and the Purple Leash Project will allow Domestic Abuse Family Shelter to expand onsite housing for the animal victims of domestic abuse. The Purple Leash Project is a partnership between RedRover and Purina with a goal of ensuring there is at least one pet-friendly domestic violence shelter in every state by the end of 2020. There are only two states remaining — Hawaii and Rhode Island — that do not have a pet-friendly domestic violence shelter.
Rescue Rebuild, a program of Greater Good Charities, will greatly expand the pet-friendly spaces at Domestic Abuse Family Shelter. Rescue Rebuild repairs and renovates domestic violence shelters and animal shelters in need all across the nation. Each domestic violence shelter build always includes a variety of indoor and outdoor pet-enrichment spaces to ensure pets can stay active and stimulated while living and healing in their new space.
In collaboration with Purina, RedRover provides Purple Leash Project Safe Housing grants to domestic violence shelters so they can build pet-friendly, co-sheltering spaces for survivors with pets, allowing them to escape abuse and heal together. Currently, 17% of domestic violence shelters in the U.S. allow pets, according to RedRover’s SafePlaceforPets.org database.
“Expanding pet-friendly spaces at domestic violence shelters means that more people and their pets can escape abuse together and heal together. We are proud to partner with Purina and Greater Good Charities to enable Domestic Abuse Family Shelter to welcome more pets into their safe haven,” said RedRover’s President and CEO, Nicole Forsyth.
Over eight days, Rescue Rebuild will install two dog runs and build a carport style structure over the runs to provide dogs protection from the weather. The team will also build a large dog play yard with enrichment equipment such as agility steps and tire tunnels, and install privacy fencing around the building to enable survivors and their pets more bonding time outdoors. The existing cat room will be given a fresh look and filled with cat enrichment equipment to help cats destress.
Bryna Donnelly, the Director of Greater Good Charities’ Rescue Rebuild Program, is always happy to swing a hammer for animals in need but says, “We are super excited to be able to help the amazing team at the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter and all that they are doing to help people and their pets. This is going to be a great space for people to spend quality time with their furry family members.”
“This has been a three-year project. We’re very excited to be able to expand this service for our clients, and we know we will be able to help a lot more people,” said Rebecca Stewart, Executive Director of Domestic Abuse Family Shelter.
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 humane education. Through their RedRover Relief program, they have helped thousands of animals and provided thousands of safe nights across the United States. To learn how RedRover is building a more compassionate future, visit RedRover.org.
About Purina
Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness. Subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.
About Greater Good Charities
Greater Good Charities is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization, with a 100/100 rating on Charity Navigator, that works to amplify the good in the world to improve the health and well-being of people, pets, and the planet.Since 2007, Greater Good Charities has given over $300 million in cash and in-kind grants to over 5,000 charitable partners worldwide and funded projects in 121 countries. To date, Greater Good Charities has provided $18 million in support for COVID-19 disaster-relief, including cash grants, in-kind supplies, and programmatic support. To learn more about how Greater Good Charities is amplifying the good across the globe, please visit greatergood.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
About Domestic Abuse Family Shelter
Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, Inc. is a non-profit agency dedicated to breaking the cycle of abuse. With two shelters in Hattiesburg and Laurel, DAFS serves female and male domestic abuse victims, along with their children and pets, in an 11-county region of southeastern Mississippi. We embrace and serve victims regardless of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.