Sojourner house will implement the pet-friendly transitional housing and shelter for victims of abuse program to enable victims of domestic violence and other forms of abuse to find safe shelter and…

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Victims of Crime awarded Sojourner House, Inc. $499,609 on October 1, 2025, under the Crime Victim Assistance/Discretionary Grants program (CFDA 16.582) to implement a pet-friendly transitional housing and shelter program for victims of domestic violence and other forms of abuse.

Sojourner House will create five new transitional housing units designed to accommodate victims and their companion animals, continuing emergency shelter operations that integrate pet safety alongside victim services. The recipient will provide financial assistance for animal welfare—including emergency boarding, relocation expenses, veterinary services, food, and supplies—and will facilitate boarding or fostering arrangements for pets of victims who cannot be sheltered with their owners. Supportive services to residents will address victim wellbeing and long-term housing security. The program will also train relevant stakeholders including human services providers, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and policymakers on the documented link between domestic violence and animal abuse and on available support services.

Performance occurs in Providence, Rhode Island, with a period of performance running from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. The assistance type is a Project Grant.

Sojourner house will implement the pet-friendly transitional housing and shelter for victims of abuse program to enable victims of domestic violence and other forms of abuse to find safe shelter and housing along with their companion animals. Since domestic violence and animal abuse are often linked and companion animals are important to the emotional healing of victims, IT is critical to incorporate safety of the animals into efforts to help victims. Project activities include: creating five new transitional housing units that are pet-friendly for victims fleeing abuse along with their companion animals; continuing to provide emergency shelter for victims and their pets; providing financial assistance to ensure the safety and wellbeing of companion animals (emergency boarding, relocation expenses, veterinary services, food, supplies, etc.); facilitating boarding or fostering arrangements for the companion animals of any victims being served by sojourner house that cannot be sheltered or housed with their owners; and providing supportive services to victims residing in the shelters and housing with their pets to help them work toward wellbeing and long-term housing security. The project will also provide training for relevant stakeholders (other human services providers, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, policy makers, etc.) on the link between domestic violence and the abuse and neglect of animals, and on services available to help them.