25 by 2025 Campaign kicks off

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RedRover and Greater Charites officially launched the 25 by 2025 campaign, powered by PetSmart Charities, and supported by Purina. The national campaign wants to increase the number of pet friendly domestic violence shelters to 25% by the year 2025.

"We firmly believe that no survivor should have to choose between their own safety and the well-being of their cherished pets," said Katie Campbell, RedRover’s Director of Collaboration and Outreach, in an organizational release.¹ "The 25 by 2025 campaign represents a critical step towards creating a more compassionate and inclusive environment within domestic violence shelters, where survivors and their pets can heal and rebuild their lives together."

When leaving a domestic violence situation, survivors with pets are faced with the difficult decision of where to go if the closet domestic violence shelter is not pet friendly. Because of the lack of pet friendly shelters, survivors will sometimes be forced to leave their pets behind or stay with their abuser to save their pet. Seventy-one percent of survivors have reported their partner has threatened to harm their pet as a way to control the victim and 25% of domestic violence survivors have reported to return to their abusive partner because they were worried for their pet and.²

“We understand that saying 'no' to survivors’ requests to bring pets to shelter is both a barrier to service and heartbreaking to domestic violence shelter staff,” explained Bryna Donnelly, vice president of pet programs at Greater Good Charities.¹ “We are helping shelters move from 'no' to 'yes' because we know keeping the human-animal bond intact is critical during times of crisis.”

The 25 by 2025 campaign will work closely with advocates, domestic violence shelters, and supporters across the country to help raise awareness about the need for more pet friendly shelters. Through education, resources, and more to the public, the campaign will empower the public to have work to create pet-friendly safe spaces for survivors and their pets.

Survivors, advocates, veterinary professionals, and animal lovers and encouraged to checkout the 25 by 2025 website to learn more about the campaign, how they can help, available funding resources, and explore other opportunities to be involved.

“When pet families know they can flee from violence with their safety intact, it’s one less barrier they have to overcome,” expressed Sarah Ocampo, senior community grants manager at PetSmart Charities. “We’re proud to support this effort to keep pets and people together when they need each other most.”

RedRover will also be presenting a virtual presentation on August 16, 2023, at 1 PM PT, hosted by Campbell, for people to learn more about the campaign, pet friendly movement, and how you can become more involved.

References

1. 25 by 2025 Campaign to Help 25% of Domestic Violence Shelters Become Pet Friendly by 2025. News release. RedRover. August 9, 2023. Accessed August 9, 2023.
2. Domestic violence awareness month is about protecting people and pets. ASPCA. Accessed August 9, 2023. https://www.aspca.org/blog/domestic-violence-awareness-month-about-protecting-people-and-pets