Central Islip - L.I. Against Domestic Violence, a leading provider of domestic violence and sexual assault services is pleased to announce that we were recently awarded a RedRover Safe Housing grant to aid in the construction project that will result in our domestic violence shelter being able to accommodate victims of domestic violence who have pets. L.I. Against Domestic Violence announced this project in October of 2019 and anticipates construction to be completed in early 2020. L.I. Against Domestic Violence’s Shelter is the first and only domestic violence shelter on Long Island designed to allow for space to accommodate a survivor and pet living together.

RedRover, a national nonprofit organization based in Sacramento, California, provides grants for financial assistance and support for victims of domestic violence through its RedRover Relief program, enabling domestic violence victims to safely escape abusive situations with their pets.

According to research cited by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence up to 65% of domestic violence victims delay or can’t escape their abusers because they are concerned about what will happen to their pets when they leave and up to 85% of women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their partner had threatened, injured or killed their pet. However, only about 8 percent of domestic violence shelters in the United States permit pets. This leaves victims of domestic violence and pets in danger, as survivors often delay or never leave because they have nowhere to take a pet and fear what will happen if the pet is left behind.

Colleen Merlo, Executive Director of L.I. Against Domestic Violence said, “We are thrilled to be taking the next step in providing safety for victims of domestic violence and their pets. Co-living is an improvement over fostering and will open the possibility of shelter to families and individuals who never thought we could help them and pets.”

LIADV’s Paws for a Cause Program provides a safe place for pets to stay at the shelter. This will allow victims to gain safety while keeping families intact and allow survivors and their children the benefit of comfort, reassurance, and healing that family pets offer.

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