Half of domestic violence victims fear leaving due to abusers harming or threatening pets

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Victims of Crime awarded Crisis Center North Incorporation $499,404 on October 1, 2025, under the Crime Victim Assistance/Discretionary Grants program (CFDA 16.582) to expand emergency shelter and transitional housing for domestic violence victims who are fleeing with companion animals in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Crisis Center North will increase emergency and transitional housing capacity, provide supportive case management to build long-term safety and financial stability for clients, and renew and expand memoranda of understanding with community partners including law enforcement. The organization will train partners on the link between domestic violence and pet abuse, elements of domestic violence trauma, and confidentiality requirements. The program employs an embedded, community-based approach to deliver cost-effective services and intends to develop a replicable model for replication by domestic violence service providers nationwide.

The award runs through September 30, 2028, with place of performance in McKnight, Pennsylvania 15237.

To address this need, crisis center north (CCN) will build upon the successes of its existing emergency shelter and transitional housing program for victims of domestic violence fleeing with companion animals in allegheny county, PA. CCN will increase emergency and transitional housing options, provide supportive services and renew and expand mous with and train community partners, including law enforcement, on the link between DV and the abuse of pets, elements of domestic violence, and confidentiality. The program will use an embedded, community approach, allowing cost-effective, expansive service options for victims. Clients also receive supportive case management support to build long-term safety, financial stability, and emotional health. Through continuation of this program, CCN intends to create a replicable model for service provision that can be used by domestic violence centers across america.