Pet inclusive services

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“Increasing Safety and Services for Survivors and their Pets.”

The intersection of pets and domestic violence is a growing focus in the sexual and domestic violence movement.  This is something we, as advocates, programs, and allies, have to address. ACESDV and collaborative partners have been addressing this issue in Arizona since 2018 after launching the Barrier Reduction Collaborative (BaRC) project with the mission to support animals not continuing to be a barrier for survivors seeking safety. Through this initiative, we are giving more opportunities for survivors to heal with their pet companions.

BaRC - Barrier Reduction Collaborative

According to callers to the National Domestic Violence Hotline:

  • 97% said keeping their pets with them is an important factor in deciding whether to seek shelter. 
  • 50% said they would not consider shelter for themselves if they could not take their pets with them. 
  • 91% said their pets’ emotional support and physical protection are significant in their ability to survive and heal.

 According to the Urban Resource Institute & The National Domestic Violence Hotline, 30% of callers to the National Domestic Violence Hotline reported their children had witnessed or been aware of abuse or threats to a pet. 

It is estimated that less than 10% of domestic violence shelters in the U.S. provide co-sheltering options for people and their pets to live and heal together – Urban Resource Institute

Through the Barrier Reduction Collaborative (BaRC) we have been able to support survivors’ needs while finding safety for them and their pets.

The BaRC Project of ACESDV provides:

  • Education and Training
  • Technical Assistance
  • *Funding for Domestic Violence Programs to build or expand pet programs in their facilities.
  • *Financial support for survivors and their pets (e.g. veterinary care, pet deposits, boarding, spay/neuter, transportation, service animal and emotional support animal certification fees, food, kennels)

    *Currently unavailable

 

For more resources:

For assistance related to pets, please contact the Arizona Sexual and Domestic Violence Helpline.

For training, technical assistance or additional questions,  please contact Samantha Hinchey at samantha@acesdv.org.