The ION center for violence prevention pet protection program proposes to increase the number of companion animals sheltered each year

The Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) awarded a $100,000 Project Grant under the Crime Victim Assistance/Discretionary Grants program (CFDA 16.582) to the Ion Center for Violence Prevention Inc., a non-profit domestic violence shelter. The project aims to increase the number of companion animals sheltered each year for victims fleeing domestic violence. Key activities include adding a full-time pet advocate, increasing volunteer foster homes, developing community education curriculum on the link between animal abuse and domestic violence, and providing 4 community trainings. Expected outcomes include increased emergency shelter for pets and domestic violence victims, as well as greater community knowledge about this critical issue. Supporting partners will provide pet medical care, emergency boarding, and supplies. This project grant award has a performance period from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026.

The purpose is to provide a safe shelter space for both humans and pets who are fleeing domestic violence and provide education to the community about the CO-occurrence of domestic violence and animal abuse. Project activities include adding a full time pet advocate to provide on-site care to companion animals staying in our kennel, increasing volunteer foster homes for pet care space, developing curriculum for community education about the CO-occurrence of domestic violence and animal abuse, and providing 4 community trainings. Expected outcomes include increased number of pets and domestic violence victims who are provided emergency shelter while fleeing and increased community knowledge about the link between animal abuse and domestic violence. Supporting partners on this project will provide pet medical care (injury evaluation, vaccines, spay/neuter), emergency boarding, and supplies.