$20K Awarded To Help Build Pet-Friendly Domestic Violence Shelter

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - A Long Island-based domestic abuse treatment center was recently awarded a $20,000 grant for their new pet-friendly shelter.

In October, the L.I. Against Domestic Violence announced they will be constructing Long Island's first pet-friendly domestic violence shelter. The shelter would allow domestic violence victims to stay in the shelter along with a pet.

To help them with the construction project, they were awarded a RedRover Safe Housing grant. The national nonprofit organization based in California, provides grants for financial assistance and support for victims of domestic violence through its RedRover Relief program, enabling domestic violence victims to safely escape abusive situations with their pets.

The construction to be completed in early 2020.

According to research cited by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence up to 65 percent of domestic violence victims delay or can’t escape their abusers because they are concerned about what will happen to their pets when they leave.

In addition, up to 85 percent of women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their partner had threatened, injured or killed their pet. However, only about eight percent of domestic violence shelters in the United States permit pets.

"We are thrilled to be taking the next step in providing safety for victims of domestic violence and their pets. Co-living is an improvement over fostering and will open the possibility of shelter to families and individuals who never thought we could help them and pets," Colleen Merlo, Executive Director of L.I. Against Domestic Violence said.

The Paws for a Cause Program will provide a safe place for pets to stay at the shelter.