Statistics say 47% of domestic violence survivors will delay leaving their abusers if they cannot take their pet with them, but a Johnson County domestic violence center is working to change that.
Last Friday, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) began construction for new pet housing to accommodate shelter residents’ pets. The renovation project is part of DVIP’s fundraising campaign, “Finding Safety, Building Hope,” as well as a larger initiative called the 25by2025 campaign, which seeks to make 25% domestic violence shelters pet-friendly by 2025, according to a news release.
Last May, DVIP broke ground for a new shelter that will have 70 beds, double the capacity of the existing shelter, and is estimated to be completed this summer, said Alta Medea, director of Community Engagement for DVIP. The existing shelter will be converted to office space, outreach, and storage.
The pet shelter portion, Cooper’s House, currently has two dog kennels and three cat condos. With the expansion, there will be five pet suites, and because it will be much larger, the shelter can lift the weight restrictions on dogs.
The renovations will take place in two phases, with the first phase occurring April 19-23, in which the shelter will install ground cover for dog play yards and pet retreats. The second phase, May 17-28, will include installing pet-specific items and completing the grooming and laundry room.
Greater Good Charities, which operates shelter renovation program Rescue Rebuild,
will spearhead the renovation with help from volunteers and players of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball team, with additional support coming from RedRover, PetSmart Charities, and James Investment Group.
“We are thrilled to be able to provide a safe space in the Johnson County area for domestic violence survivors and their pets, so they heal together,” said Bryna Donnelly, executive vice president of programs at Greater Good Charities. “No one in crisis should ever have to choose between safety and their pet.”
To date, the Rescue Rebuild program has recruited over 6,000 volunteers from all over the country to renovate 194 animal shelters, domestic violence shelters, homeless and
veteran housing.
“We are honored to have the support of our community and from nationally recognized pet sheltering programs,” said Ms. Medea. “The work to keep victim-survivors and their pet’s safe takes all of us and would not be possible without Greater Good Charities, RedRover and our friends within the Iowa City community.”
