Safe Haven Initiative: Enhancing Domestic Violence Shelter Facilities and Support Services for Survivors' Pets

Purpose: The project aims to strengthen YWCA Utah’s domestic violence shelter and Ruff Haven’s animal shelter to provide holistic support for domestic violence survivors and their pets. YWCA Utah, the state’s largest provider of services to DV survivors and their families, recognizes the critical role pets play in survivors' lives and the barriers pets present when seeking safe shelter. Ruff Haven, the only nonprofit in Utah dedicated to crisis sheltering for pets, faces similar challenges. By enhancing both shelters, the project addresses the dire need for accommodating pets, ensuring that survivors do not have to choose between their safety and their pets. This project underscores the importance of keeping families, including pets, together during times of crisis, acknowledging the profound impact of pets on emotional well-being and recovery from domestic violence 

Primary Activities: The primary project activities include installing durable flooring to prevent animal-related damage, creating a secure pet park, expanding Ruff Haven’s kennel space for traumatized animals, enhancing veterinary care resources, and supplying essential pet necessities. The project will also support DV survivors in securing stable pet-friendly housing and develop educational materials and training for integrating pets into DV shelters across Utah. 

Expected Outcomes: The project aims to significantly improve the support system for domestic violence survivors and their pets, fostering a safer, more inclusive environment that acknowledges the integral role pets play in the lives of survivors. The expected outcomes include enhanced facilities to support DV survivors and their pets, increased access to funds for veterinary care, pet necessities, and pet-friendly housing, and increased training for DV emergency shelters regarding pet policies and procedures. 

Intended Beneficiaries: YWCA Utah primarily serves survivors of domestic violence who have been rendered homeless due to leaving an abusive relationship. This project aims to support domestic violence survivors and their pets. 

Subrecipients: Ruff Haven will be a subrecipient for this application. Ruff Haven is Utah’s only nonprofit offering pet crisis sheltering, assisting individuals facing crises like hospitalization, domestic violence, and housing issues.