One in three women and one in four men will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes. If they want to leave, though, it can be difficult if they have pets. Only about 1 in 5 domestic violence shelters allows pets. With about half of survivors worried that their abuser will harm or kill their pet, this can lead to a devastating choice: Saving themselves and leaving their vulnerable pet behind or staying in a dangerous situation to remain with them. With your help, we’ve been slowly ensuring fewer survivors have to make this choice.

Thanks in part to your clicks, trivia participation, shopping for a cause, and direct donations, our partner Greater Good Charities (GGC) has been making more domestic violence shelters pet-friendly through its Rescue Rebuild program. This is also part of the broader 25 by 2025 goal, which aims to ensure 25% of domestic violence shelters accept pets by the end of 2025.

The latest project, undertaken earlier this month, renovated YWCA Greater Cincinnati to make it the first pet-friendly domestic violence shelter in the region. Staff and volunteers from GGC, RedRover, and Purina teamed up to turn a building onsite into a pet area, with six pet-friendly rooms. They were equipped with pet enrichment items like cat shelves and scratchers, new pet-friendly furniture, and specialized cat-friendly spaces. Hallway traffic mirrors were installed to improve animal safety, as well.

There were some updates to the outdoor space, too, with the installation of two dog play yards where dogs and their humans can enjoy some fresh air and bonding in a secure area. Tire tunnels were added on for extra fun and exercise opportunities, along with seating for people, as well as a pet grooming station and a pet waste station for clean-up. For extra safety, outdoor lightning has been installed for nighttime use.

YWCA Greater Cincinnati President and CEO Rickell Howard Smith, says, "YWCA Greater Cincinnati has operated the region’s only domestic violence shelter since the 1970s — and the grants from RedRover and Purina’s Purple Leash Project, and Greater Good Charities allow us to take a historic step forward. Not only are they providing much-needed funding, but they are also offering hands-on support, creating dedicated spaces to house survivors' pets.

"Our new shelter will be the first in the region to welcome survivors and their pets, ensuring that no one has to choose between safety and leaving a beloved animal behind. We’re proud to lead the way in creating a more compassionate, complete path to healing for survivors and their entire families— pets included."

With 91% of survivors saying their pet’s emotional support and physical protection are significant in their ability to survive and heal, changes like this can make a world of difference.

Thank you for helping this happen! If you’d like to contribute to future domestic violence shelter projects, click below!