ST. LOUIS — Pets are known for their unconditional love. It's a love one shelter does not want to tarnish.
CEO Mary Ann Owens oversees the Women's Safe House in St. Louis and she's noticed a pattern.
"We've had women call and we had a no pet policy and when we said they couldn't bring their pet, they would say 'no, we can't come,'" she shared.
Here are some statistics, according to Purina's Purple Leash Project:
- Nationwide, only 17% of domestic violence shelters accept pets.
- 71% percent of women in domestic violence shelters report their abuser threatened, injured or killed a pet as a means of control.
- Nearly half, or 48%, of domestic abuse survivors delay leaving because they can’t take their pets with them.
Owens explained the hesitancy of adding pets to shelters could be because of the extra workload.
"It’s extra work, more volunteers and extra staff," she said. "It adds a new whole dimension to the services, it's work to take care of a pet but it's worth it."
Owens said after learning a woman in the shelter kept a dog in her car for two weeks, she decided something needed to be done.
She called Purina, which is based in St. Louis, for support.
Purina already has the Purple Leash Project, which is a grant program for domestic violence shelters to become pet-friendly.
Kim Beardslee, director of community affairs at Purina, said the project began six years ago.
Beardslee added through the Purple Leash Project, Purina has given $2.5 million in grants to domestic violence shelters.
"We have one domestic violence shelter in every state that is pet friendly. But our ultimate goal is to have 25% of domestic shelters become pet-friendly by the year 2025," she said.
She noted the partnership with the Women's Safe House is vital. That's why Purina provided a large grant.
"There were organizations fostering pets but nowhere where they can heal together," Beardslee pointed out.
Just last month, the groundbreaking took place for a $150,000 kennel, which is currently being built behind the shelter.
"We will be able to house eight pets at a time, dogs and cats, it's climate controlled and it'll be an indoor and outdoor area. The pets can come in the family suites and they’ll be walked three times a day," Owens said
Together their partnership puts a roof over victims' heads and it protects these pets.
It also shows them the power of unconditional love.
"Especially going through a traumatic experience, that unconditional love you get from your pet is important for the healing process," Beardslee said.
Owens believes this step can be critical in saving lives.
"I do believe it’ll save lives because we know when a family stays in an abusive situation, they are at risk of being murdered," Owens added.
The kennel is expected to be finished by the start of 2024.
For its 24-hour crisis intervention hotline, that number is 314-772-4535.
For information on how to donate to the project, click here.
For more information Purina's Purple Leash Project, click here.