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Pet Age Staff//December 10, 2025//
Pet Age Staff//December 10, 2025//
RedRover, a national animal welfare 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has awarded $1,335,518 in Safe Housing grant funding in 2025, including $391,431 in their last grant round of the year. Thanks in part to Purina, PetSmart Charities, and an anonymous donor, seven domestic violence (DV) shelters and two animal shelters can create or expand programming for survivors’ pets. Three domestic violence shelters received a RedRover + Purina’s Purple Leash Project (PLP) grant, an extension of RedRover’s Safe Housing grants.
The funding will support the following:
“It was a light bulb moment for me when I learned that survivors often delay escaping an abuser for fear of leaving their pet behind. Our grants enable shelters to create essential pet-friendly programming so no survivor faces the impossible choice of leaving a family member behind,” said RedRover president and CEO Katie Campbell.
DV Shelter Grantees:
Animal Shelter Grantees:
*Shelters creating their first pet-friendly program.
“Thank you for choosing us as a Purple Leash Project grantee. This Purple Leash Project grant will allow us to provide pet essentials during their owners’ stay at our shelter. We believe healing happens, especially when you incorporate the love and support for pets,” said Heather Greene, Mountain Comprehensive Care Center’s Healing Program for Survivors of Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Program director.
“The Women’s Shelter and Support Center is deeply grateful to RedRover for this generous Safe Housing grant,” said executive director Artyce Thomas. “These funds will allow us to create safe spaces where survivors and their beloved pets can heal together. Far too often, victims choose not to seek shelter because they have nowhere safe for their fur babies. This support will help remove that barrier, providing not only secure shelter accommodations, but also food, vaccines, and essential pet supplies, ultimately saving even more lives.”
“We are grateful for RedRover and Purina’s Purple Leash Project grant, which allows us to ensure that survivors of domestic violence never have to choose between their safety and their beloved pets,” added Debbie Mayo, executive director, New Horizons Crisis Center.” This support helps us provide safe shelter and healing for both survivors and their animal companions.”
“RedRover’s Safe Housing grant will allow us to expand safe options for survivors and their pets, ensuring families can remain together during moments of crisis,” said Ruffhaven Crisis Sheltering co-founder/co-director Kristina Pulsipher. “This support strengthens our ability to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care and removes a major barrier for survivors seeking safety.”
Family Assistance Program executive director Darryl Evey said: “We have been housing pets with their families at our shelter for victims of domestic violence for over 15 years. With this support from RedRover, we will be able to double our capacity and help even more families fleeing violence.”
Jennifer Neal Clark, Esq., MFT, executive director, International Women’s House said: “Thanks to RedRover + Purina’s Purple Leash Project, we can offer survivors safety without the heartbreak of leaving their pets behind – keeping families, including their beloved animals, together during crisis and transition.”
Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center executive director Meg Quinlivan said, “We are grateful for RedRover’s Safe Housing grant, which will allow us to build a safe and comfortable kennel on our property. This new space will ensure that survivors no longer must choose between their safety and their beloved pets.”
“We are beyond grateful to have received a Safe Housing grant from RedRover,” said Central Missouri Humane Society executive director Julie Aber. “This grant will help transform our ASN (Animal Safety Net) program and serve dozens of deserving animals each year. Thank you, RedRover!”
“We are deeply grateful for RedRover’s Safe Housing grant, which will allow us to provide safe, temporary shelter for the pets of survivors fleeing domestic violence,” explained Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center’s executive director Katora Printup. “This support helps remove a major barrier to safety, ensuring that both survivors and their beloved animals can begin the healing process together.”
RedRover is grateful for its partners and donors for supporting survivors and their pets. KONG is providing dog and cat toys and treats to all Safe Housing grantees through 2025. With the generosity of PetSmart Charities, RedRover and Greater Good Charities launched the 25 by 2025 campaign in 2023, with the support of Purina, to help 25 percent of DV shelters become pet friendly by the end of 2025. The current percentage of pet-friendly shelters is 19.5 percent.
Safe Housing grants of up to $60,000 are available for domestic violence and animal shelters. RedRover hopes to acquire more funding to support homeless shelters in 2026. Safe Housing grant application deadlines are March 1, June 1 and September 1.
Pets and Domestic Violence:
(Photo courtesy RedRover)
