Animal Victims Of Domestic Violence
Grants For Protecting Animals From Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Safe Escape Grants
RedRover offers financial assistance for victims of domestic violence
and their pets through our Safe Escape grant program. The goal of the
program is to enable victims to leave their batterers without having to
leave their pets behind. Grants may be provided for temporary boarding
and veterinary care.
Grant applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Grants, up
to $500, are awarded based upon several factors, including: urgency,
financial need and available funding. Once an application is
submitted online by a case worker, a response via e-mail or by phone
will be provided within one to two business days.
Please note: For safety reasons, applications must be submitted by a case worker or domestic violence shelter representative.
If you are a victim of domestic violence and need immediate assistance:
The applicant/client must:
Please note: For safety reasons, applications must be submitted by a case worker or domestic violence shelter representative.
If you are a victim of domestic violence and need immediate assistance:
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233.
- View a directory of domestic and family violence shelters that allow pets: on-site housing, off-site housing
- See our resource page for additional resources.
- Download the Sheltering Animals & Families Together™ Start-Up Guide, which outlines how to transform your shelter to house family pets on-site.
- Download RedRover's flier on animals and domestic violence to share this information.
- See our resource page for additional resources.
The applicant/client must:
- Live in the United States.
- Have a plan for how the animal's needs can be met. For example, a written estimate from a specific boarding kennel or veterinary clinic.
- For the safety of the client, applications must be submitted by a domestic violence shelter representative on behalf of the client.
- Be spayed/neutered (grant may include spay/neuter costs).
- Be a companion animal belonging to a victim of domestic violence.
- Provide RedRover with a written estimate at RedRover's request.
- Accept a check from RedRover.
- The boarding has already been completed and you need assistance paying the bill.
- RedRover Relief's funding resources have been depleted.
Domestic Violence And Pets
Research clearly shows that offenders of domestic violence often have a pattern of abuse involving all members of the household – including children and pets. When victims of domestic violence seek to escape their abusive homes they’re not only faced with the challenge of finding shelter for themselves and their children, but also for their pets.
Unfortunately, many shelters do not have the means to house companion animals and many victims are left facing the difficult decision to either leave their pets behind or remain in the abusive environment. Sadly, many victims stay in abusive homes for fear of subjecting their animals to continued abuse, if left behind. Equally disturbing, animals are often left with their abusers to face torture or even death.
What is RedRover doing?
RedRover offers financial assistance for victims of domestic violence and their pets through our RedRover Relief program.
Since 2007, RedRover has awarded thousands of dollars in grants to help care for and shelter animals displaced by family violence. Here is one story:
Lynn and her family had been living in fear for months. Lynn’s two-year-old daughter and their family pet, a one-year-old dog named Coco, constantly witnessed screaming and disturbing behavior from Lynn's abuser. He regularly “tore up the apartment” and had once kicked Coco. Lynn gained the courage to leave their abuser and fled to a nearby domestic violence shelter. The shelter was unable to house pets on site, but Lynn’s case manager knew about RedRover’s emergency grant program. A Safe Escape grant paid for 30 nights of emergency boarding for Coco and enabled the entire family to start a new life. Learn more about available grants.
Relevant statistics on domestic violence and animal abuse:
Unfortunately, many shelters do not have the means to house companion animals and many victims are left facing the difficult decision to either leave their pets behind or remain in the abusive environment. Sadly, many victims stay in abusive homes for fear of subjecting their animals to continued abuse, if left behind. Equally disturbing, animals are often left with their abusers to face torture or even death.
What is RedRover doing?
RedRover offers financial assistance for victims of domestic violence and their pets through our RedRover Relief program.
- Safe Escape grants may be used to pay for emergency boarding and veterinary care to enable domestic violence victims to leave their batterers without having to leave their pets behind.
- Safe Housing grants enable shelters to create space so that pets can be housed on-site.
Since 2007, RedRover has awarded thousands of dollars in grants to help care for and shelter animals displaced by family violence. Here is one story:
Lynn and her family had been living in fear for months. Lynn’s two-year-old daughter and their family pet, a one-year-old dog named Coco, constantly witnessed screaming and disturbing behavior from Lynn's abuser. He regularly “tore up the apartment” and had once kicked Coco. Lynn gained the courage to leave their abuser and fled to a nearby domestic violence shelter. The shelter was unable to house pets on site, but Lynn’s case manager knew about RedRover’s emergency grant program. A Safe Escape grant paid for 30 nights of emergency boarding for Coco and enabled the entire family to start a new life. Learn more about available grants.
Relevant statistics on domestic violence and animal abuse:
- 52 percent of victims in shelters leave their pets with their batterers (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
- Up to 65 percent of domestic violence victims are unable to escape their abusers because they are concerned about what will happen to their pets when they leave (Carlisle-Frank, Frank and Nielsen, 2004)
- 71 percent of pet-owning women entering women’s shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 32 percent reported their children had hurt or killed animals (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
- Download RedRover's flier on animals and domestic violence to share this information.
- Animal Welfare Institute: Safe Havens Mapping Project (off-site and on-site housing for pets)
- Ahimsa House: Safe Havens Directory (off-site housing for pets)
- Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T)™: Directory of Participating Shelters (on-site housing for pets)
- If you are a family violence shelter interested in housing pets on-site, please contact Allie Phillips with Sheltering Animals & Families Together™ for assistance.
- Download the Start-Up Guide, written by Allie, that outlines how to transform your shelter to house family pets on-site.
- Learn more about RedRover’s Domestic Violence Safe Housing grants, which help shelter’s fund start-up costs for on-site pet housing projects.
- The American Kennel Club's (AKC) Humane Fund Women’s Shelter Grants are awarded for essential operational support relating to the housing of pets or capital improvements specifically for the housing of pets.
- RedRover maintains a directory of various grant programs for nonprofit organizations.
HSUS Connection Between Domestic Violence And Animal Abuse
Is there a connection between animal abuse and criminal violence? A number of studies have drawn links between the abuse of animals and violence against people. A 2001-2004 study by the Chicago Police Department "revealed a startling propensity for offenders charged with crimes against animals to commit other violent offenses toward human victims." Of those arrested for animal crimes, 65% had been arrested for battery against another person.[i]
Of 36 convicted multiple murderers questioned in one study, 46% admitted committing acts of animal torture as adolescents.[ii] And of seven school shootings that took place across the country between 1997 and 2001, all involved boys who had previously committed acts of animal cruelty.
How does animal abuse relate to domestic abuse? Pet abuse is one of four predictors of domestic partner violence, according to a six-year "gold standard" study conducted in 11 metropolitan cities.[iii] In both domestic violence and child-abuse situations, abusers may manipulate and control their human victims through threatened or actual violence against family pets.
Researchers have found that between 71% and 83% of women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their partners also abused or killed the family pet. And another study found that in families under supervision for physical abuse of their children, pet abuse was concurrent in 88% of the families.[iv]
Can animal neglect indicate abuse toward people? Animal abuse in the form of neglect is often one of the first indicators of distress in the household. Whether owing to lack of empathy, mental illness, or substance abuse, a person who fails to provide minimal care for the family pet is more likely to neglect the basic needs of other dependents in the household. In many cases, children found living among the squalor of neglected pets are taken into foster care.
Animal hoarding is an extreme example of how life-threatening neglect affects both people and animals. By the time an animal hoarding situation is discovered, the unsanitary conditions and lack of care may have killed a large number of the animals and compromised the health of dependent children or elders in the household.
Is animal abuse in children normal? No. Children who abuse animals are sending out clear warning signs that they pose a risk to themselves as well as to others. The National School Safety Council, the U.S. Department of Education, the American Psychological Association, and the National Crime Prevention Council agree that animal cruelty is a warning sign for at-risk youth.[v]
Longitudinal studies show that chronic physical aggression (e.g., animal cruelty) by elementary school boys increases the likelihood they will commit continued physical violence as well as other nonviolent forms of delinquency during adolescence.[vi]
A child who abuses animals may also be acting out against violence in his own home.[vii]. Professional intervention can remove a child from a potentially abusive situation and divert him or her from future abusive behavior.
Experts agree that early prevention and treatment of animal cruelty is the key to stopping the cycle of violence, because as aggressive children get older, they are less responsive to therapeutic intervention[viii].
How can stopping animal abuse affect other issues? Reporting, investigating, and prosecuting animal cruelty can help take dangerous criminals off the streets. Police know that in homes where animal abuse is a problem, other issues are often concurrent. Acts of animal cruelty are linked to a variety of other crimes, including violence against people, property crimes, and drug or disorderly conduct offenses. [ix]
Stopping animal abuse in children can help curb violent tendencies before they escalate to include violence against people.
Are there any laws or policies addressing the connection between animal abuse and other violence? Several states have cross-reporting laws, which require social workers, veterinarians, or doctors who encounter suspected child abuse to report it. In San Diego, Calif., social workers must report suspected cases of animal abuse to animal control officials. [x]
At least 13 states have laws allowing courts to include pets in temporary restraining orders (TROs) in domestic violence situations.[xi]
At least 28 states have counseling provisions in their animal cruelty laws. Four of these states require psychological counseling for anyone convicted of animal cruelty, and six mandate counseling for juveniles convicted of animal cruelty. [xii]
What can I do to help? You can help stop the cycle of violence by recognizing that animal abuse is an indicator of serious problems. Reporting animal abuse can help authorities stop other types of violence, and vice versa. Encouraging local law enforcement and prosecutors to take crimes against animals seriously is the key to creating safer communities.
Animal cruelty in children should not be taken lightly. Children who abuse animals should receive immediate professional psychological intervention for both their own welfare and that of the community.
Of 36 convicted multiple murderers questioned in one study, 46% admitted committing acts of animal torture as adolescents.[ii] And of seven school shootings that took place across the country between 1997 and 2001, all involved boys who had previously committed acts of animal cruelty.
How does animal abuse relate to domestic abuse? Pet abuse is one of four predictors of domestic partner violence, according to a six-year "gold standard" study conducted in 11 metropolitan cities.[iii] In both domestic violence and child-abuse situations, abusers may manipulate and control their human victims through threatened or actual violence against family pets.
Researchers have found that between 71% and 83% of women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their partners also abused or killed the family pet. And another study found that in families under supervision for physical abuse of their children, pet abuse was concurrent in 88% of the families.[iv]
Can animal neglect indicate abuse toward people? Animal abuse in the form of neglect is often one of the first indicators of distress in the household. Whether owing to lack of empathy, mental illness, or substance abuse, a person who fails to provide minimal care for the family pet is more likely to neglect the basic needs of other dependents in the household. In many cases, children found living among the squalor of neglected pets are taken into foster care.
Animal hoarding is an extreme example of how life-threatening neglect affects both people and animals. By the time an animal hoarding situation is discovered, the unsanitary conditions and lack of care may have killed a large number of the animals and compromised the health of dependent children or elders in the household.
Is animal abuse in children normal? No. Children who abuse animals are sending out clear warning signs that they pose a risk to themselves as well as to others. The National School Safety Council, the U.S. Department of Education, the American Psychological Association, and the National Crime Prevention Council agree that animal cruelty is a warning sign for at-risk youth.[v]
Longitudinal studies show that chronic physical aggression (e.g., animal cruelty) by elementary school boys increases the likelihood they will commit continued physical violence as well as other nonviolent forms of delinquency during adolescence.[vi]
A child who abuses animals may also be acting out against violence in his own home.[vii]. Professional intervention can remove a child from a potentially abusive situation and divert him or her from future abusive behavior.
Experts agree that early prevention and treatment of animal cruelty is the key to stopping the cycle of violence, because as aggressive children get older, they are less responsive to therapeutic intervention[viii].
How can stopping animal abuse affect other issues? Reporting, investigating, and prosecuting animal cruelty can help take dangerous criminals off the streets. Police know that in homes where animal abuse is a problem, other issues are often concurrent. Acts of animal cruelty are linked to a variety of other crimes, including violence against people, property crimes, and drug or disorderly conduct offenses. [ix]
Stopping animal abuse in children can help curb violent tendencies before they escalate to include violence against people.
Are there any laws or policies addressing the connection between animal abuse and other violence? Several states have cross-reporting laws, which require social workers, veterinarians, or doctors who encounter suspected child abuse to report it. In San Diego, Calif., social workers must report suspected cases of animal abuse to animal control officials. [x]
At least 13 states have laws allowing courts to include pets in temporary restraining orders (TROs) in domestic violence situations.[xi]
At least 28 states have counseling provisions in their animal cruelty laws. Four of these states require psychological counseling for anyone convicted of animal cruelty, and six mandate counseling for juveniles convicted of animal cruelty. [xii]
What can I do to help? You can help stop the cycle of violence by recognizing that animal abuse is an indicator of serious problems. Reporting animal abuse can help authorities stop other types of violence, and vice versa. Encouraging local law enforcement and prosecutors to take crimes against animals seriously is the key to creating safer communities.
Animal cruelty in children should not be taken lightly. Children who abuse animals should receive immediate professional psychological intervention for both their own welfare and that of the community.
Animal Abuse Statistics
In association with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Why it Matters
If You Need Help Contact your local humane society, SPCA, animal control agency, or veterinarian to see if they have temporary foster care facilities for pets belonging to battered women.
What You Can Do
- 71% of pet-owning women entering women’s shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 32% reported their children had hurt or killed animals.
- 68% of battered women reported violence towards their animals. 87% of these incidents occurred in the presence of the women, and 75% in the presence of the children, to psychologically control and coerce them.
- 13% of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence.
- Between 25% and 40% of battered women are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets or livestock should they leave.
- Pets may suffer unexplained injuries, health problems, permanent disabilities at the hands of abusers, or disappear from home.
- Abusers kill, harm, or threaten children’s pets to coerce them into sexual abuse or to force them to remain silent about abuse. Disturbed children kill or harm animals to emulate their parents’ conduct, to prevent the abuser from killing the pet, or to take out their aggressions on another victim.
- In one study, 70% of animal abusers also had records for other crimes. Domestic violence victims whose animals were abused saw the animal cruelty as one more violent episode in a long history of indiscriminate violence aimed at them and their vulnerability.
- Investigation of animal abuse is often the first point of social services intervention for a family in trouble.
- For many battered women, pets are sources of comfort providing strong emotional support: 98% of Americans consider pets to be companions or members of the family.
- Animal cruelty problems are people problems. When animals are abused, people are at risk.
- More American households have pets than have children. We spend more money on pet food than on baby food. There are more dogs in the U.S. than people in most countries in Europe - and more cats than dogs.
- A child growing up in the U.S. is more likely to have a pet than a live-at-home father.
- Pets live most frequently in homes with children: 64.1% of homes with children under age 6, and 74.8% of homes with children over age 6, have pets. The woman is the primary caregiver in 72.8% of pet-owning households.
- Battered women have been known to live in their cars with their pets for as long as four months until an opening was available at a pet-friendly safe house.
If You Need Help Contact your local humane society, SPCA, animal control agency, or veterinarian to see if they have temporary foster care facilities for pets belonging to battered women.
What You Can Do
- Have your pets vaccinated against rabies, and license your pets with your town or county: make sure these registrations are in your name to help prove your ownership.
- Consider and plan for the safety and welfare of your animals. Do not leave pets with your abuser. Be prepared to take your pets with you: many women’s shelters have established “safe haven” foster care programs for the animal victims of domestic violence.
- Alternatively, arrange temporary shelter for your pets with a veterinarian, family member, trusted friend, or local animal shelter.
- Add questions about the presence of pets and their welfare to shelter intake questionnaires and risk assessments.
- Work with animal shelters, veterinarians, and rescue groups to establish “safe haven” foster care programs for the animal victims of domestic violence; some women’s shelters are building kennels at their facilities.
- Include provisions for pets in safety planning strategies.
- Help your clients to prove ownership of their animals.
- Help victims to retrieve animals left behind.
- Include animals in abuse prevention orders.
- Help victims find pet-friendly transitional and permanent housing.
- When victims can no longer care for their pets, make referrals to animal adoption agencies.
- Establish community coalitions against family violence that include humane societies, SPCAs, animal control agencies, and veterinarians. Invite representatives from these agencies to train your staff on how animal abuse cases are investigated and prosecuted: offer to train their staffs and volunteers about domestic violence issues.
Domestic Violence And Animal Cruelty
In recent years, a strong connection has been documented linking animal abuse and domestic violence. A New Jersey study found that in 88 percent of families where there had been physical abuse of children, there were also records of animal abuse. In Wisconsin, battered women revealed that in four out of five cases, abusive partners had also been violent toward pets or livestock. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence conducted its own study in which 85.4 percent of women and 63.0 percent of children reported incidents of pet abuse after arriving at domestic violence shelters. The Chicago Police Department's Domestic Violence Program took a look at the criminal histories of animal fighting/animal abuse arrestees for 2000-2001 and found that approximately 30 percent had domestic violence charges on their records. There is legitimate evidence that the individuals involved in violent acts against animals present a danger to the public that must be addressed. Intentional animal abuse is often seen in association with other serious crimes including drug offenses, gang activity, weapons violations, sexual assault and domestic violence—and can be one of the most visible parts of an entire history of aggressive or antisocial behavior.
Why do Abusers Batter Animals?
What Can Law Enforcement Do?
What Can Victim Advocates and Domestic Violence Shelters Do?
What Can Animal Shelters and Humane Organizations Do?
Legal Protections for Animal Victims of Domestic Violence
Conclusion and Additional Resources
Why do Abusers Batter Animals?
What Can Law Enforcement Do?
It is imperative that first responders understand the connection between animal abuse and family violence. When responding to domestic calls it is imperative to be alert for signs that children and/or pets might be victimized. Children may be more willing to discuss what has happened to a pet than their own victimization.
Victims and their children should be asked:
What Can Victim Advocates and Domestic Violence Shelters Do?
What Can Animal Shelters and Humane Organizations Do?
Legal Protections for Animal Victims of Domestic Violence
Sadly, victims of domestic violence often remain in dangerous or dysfunctional relationships to protect their pets. A study of women seeking temporary "safe haven" shelter showed that 71 percent of those having companion animals reported that their partners had threatened, hurt, or killed their animals. It is likewise well-documented that many more abuse victims never even go to a shelter because they fear for the safety of the pets they must leave behind.
In recognition of this phenomenon, several states have passed laws that 1) empower judges to include pets in court-issued orders of protection; and/or 2) include the harm or threat of harm to animals in the state's legal definition of "domestic violence."
See which states allow pets to be included in orders of protection and read the individual laws.
Conclusion and Additional Resources
Animal cruelty is increasingly viewed as a serious issue by professionals in law enforcement and mental health—as well as by the general public. The effective prosecution of animal abuse has many benefits. It can provide an early and timely response to those who are, or who are risk of becoming, a threat to the safety of others. It can provide an added tool for the protection of those who are victims of family violence. Finally, it can bring personal satisfaction in developing new skills and new understanding, and helping build a truly compassionate society.
Why do Abusers Batter Animals?
What Can Law Enforcement Do?
What Can Victim Advocates and Domestic Violence Shelters Do?
What Can Animal Shelters and Humane Organizations Do?
Legal Protections for Animal Victims of Domestic Violence
Conclusion and Additional Resources
Why do Abusers Batter Animals?
- To demonstrate power and control over the family
- To isolate the victim and children
- To enforce submission
- To perpetuate an environment of fear
- To prevent the victim from leaving or coerce her to return
- To punish for leaving or showing independence
What Can Law Enforcement Do?
It is imperative that first responders understand the connection between animal abuse and family violence. When responding to domestic calls it is imperative to be alert for signs that children and/or pets might be victimized. Children may be more willing to discuss what has happened to a pet than their own victimization.
Victims and their children should be asked:
- Do you have any pets?
- Has the batterer or any else threatened to harm your pet?
- Will you need assistance in finding a safe place for the pet if you leave?
What Can Victim Advocates and Domestic Violence Shelters Do?
- Work with victims to be sure they include pets in their safety planning
- Include questions about any threats or injuries to pets on your intake questionnaires
- Work with legislators to insure that pets can be included in orders of protection and educate judges about the necessity to do so
- Work with your local humane organizations or animal control to establish programs for the emergency housing of pets coming from homes experiencing violence
What Can Animal Shelters and Humane Organizations Do?
- Reach out to local domestic violence shelters and establish programs for emergency housing of pets from homes with domestic violence
- If no space is available, work with animal foster care agencies to establish a network of homes that might provide emergency care for these pets
- Incorporate information on these connections in school programs, particularly those that might reach children at risk of family violence
Legal Protections for Animal Victims of Domestic Violence
Sadly, victims of domestic violence often remain in dangerous or dysfunctional relationships to protect their pets. A study of women seeking temporary "safe haven" shelter showed that 71 percent of those having companion animals reported that their partners had threatened, hurt, or killed their animals. It is likewise well-documented that many more abuse victims never even go to a shelter because they fear for the safety of the pets they must leave behind.
In recognition of this phenomenon, several states have passed laws that 1) empower judges to include pets in court-issued orders of protection; and/or 2) include the harm or threat of harm to animals in the state's legal definition of "domestic violence."
See which states allow pets to be included in orders of protection and read the individual laws.
Conclusion and Additional Resources
Animal cruelty is increasingly viewed as a serious issue by professionals in law enforcement and mental health—as well as by the general public. The effective prosecution of animal abuse has many benefits. It can provide an early and timely response to those who are, or who are risk of becoming, a threat to the safety of others. It can provide an added tool for the protection of those who are victims of family violence. Finally, it can bring personal satisfaction in developing new skills and new understanding, and helping build a truly compassionate society.