Housing for domestic violence victims’ pets

RedRover grant to help victims and their pets escape abusive situations, transition to safety. 

NEW CASTLE, DE – The Brandywine Valley SPCA, CHILD, Inc., People’s Place and RedRover, today announced A Place for Your Pet, a program that provides victims in the two Delaware shelters safe and discrete off-site housing for pets during their times of transition.

A Place for Your Pet is funded by RedRover, a national non-profit that provides financial and logistical assistance to ensure that victims can safely escape their abusive situations with their pets.  RedRover is instrumental in making successful transitions possible for victims who frequently face the difficult decision to leave their abuser for a domestic violence shelter or stay with their pets.

“Brandywine Valley SPCA will be collaborating with local boarding facilities to house the pets at no charge to their owners, keeping them safe until the victims are ready to transition out of the domestic violence shelters,” said Adam Lamb, BVSPCA Chief Executive Officer.

Through a $40,000 RedRover grant, CHILD, Inc. and People’s Place, two Delaware-based domestic violence shelters, will roll out this critical program, working with the BVSPCA each step of the way.

“We are honored to be a part of such an important cause and to lend much needed support to victims and their pets when they need it most,” added Lamb.

In addition to boarding the pets, BVSPCA will provide vaccinations, microchipping, and optional spay/neuter at no cost to the owners.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, more than 70 percent of pet-owning victims who enter domestic violence shelters report that their abuser had injured, killed, or threatened family pets for revenge or psychological control. Additionally, up to 65% of victims do not seek shelter to escape their abusers because they fear what will happen to their pets when they leave.

“Pets are often also victims of abuse, suffering from injuries and neglect. RedRover’s Safe Housing Startup grants make it possible for victims to receive life-saving sheltering services, reassured that their pets are protected,” said Nicole Forsyth, RedRover President and CEO.

“We are grateful for the support of RedRover and our partnership with the Brandywine Valley SPCA,” said Lori Sitler, Executive Director of CHILD, Inc. “By providing care for their pets, we removed one more barrier for victims seeking the safety our domestic violence shelters provide.”

In addition to housing pets, A Place for Your Pet aims to make it possible for victims staying at shelters to visit their pets at the boarding facilities.  A fundraiser to provide free transportation from the victim’s shelter to boarding sites will take place on November 14^th, 2018 at Grain, located in Newark, DE. The restaurant has committed to donating 20 percent of food checks to CHILD, Inc. to support this important piece of the program. More information can be found at www.childinc.com.

Victims seeking services should contact the shelters directly through their hotline numbers: 

• CHILD, Inc. Bilingual (Spanish/English) 302-762-6110

• People’s Place – English- 302-422-8058

• People’s Place – Spanish- 302-745-9874

About the Brandywine Valley SPCA

Founded in 1929, the Brandywine Valley SPCA is the first open admission no-kill shelter in Pennsylvania and Delaware. In 2017, the BVSPCA cared for more than 14,000 stray, owner-surrendered, wayward owned, and abused and neglected animals while achieving a 96% live release rate. The BVSPCA provides animal protective services for Chester County and much of Delaware County in Pennsylvania, and it holds a five-year contract with the Delaware Office of Animal Welfare to provide state-wide animal services for dogs. Animals are placed through four adoption centers: the West Chester Campus, the New Castle Campus, the Georgetown Campus, and a PetSmart® Everyday Adoption Center in Dover. In addition, the BVSPCA provides families with safety net and low-cost veterinary services at its three clinic locations: the Malvern Animal Health Center, the New Castle Animal Health Center, and the Georgetown Animal Health Center. www.bvspca.org.