Within hours of opening Rose Brooks Center’s onsite pet shelter in 2012, it was full. We knew then that one day we may have to expand as more survivors with pets needed a safe place to stay. We are happy to announce that because of a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, the PAWS Place Expansion project is moving forward.
This expansion will directly help provide supportive service resources for domestic violence victims with companion animals and increase the levels of training and advocacy in order to improve the community’s response to the co-occurrence of domestic violence and pet abuse. Ultimately, this project will create a coordinated community response to improve resources available to victims and their pets, expand the community’s understanding of the connection between domestic violence and animal abuse, and improve the community’s response when faced with pet owners who may be experiencing this crisis.
Not to mention Rose Brooks will be able to expand the cat shelter, and provide supplies to retrofit shelter bedrooms to be pet-friendly.
As victims and survivors come into shelter with severe trauma, pets are a constant source of comfort, bringing healing and recovery. These funds will not only ensure more pets can find safety, but allow more healing along the way for the entire family.
To read more about the history and mission of our pet shelter, please visit us online at www.rosebrooks.org/services/pet-shelter.