DAWN Pet-Friendly Shelter for Survivors of Domestic Abuse

DAWN (Domestic Abuse Womens Network) proposes to implement its Pet Friendly Domestic Violence Shelter in order to increase access to shelter services for survivors of domestic violence who have companion animals, and to decrease barriers to these survivors leaving abusive and dangerous living situations. Project activities include: providing supplies, including flea and parasite treatment, crates and bedding, and pet hygiene supplies, to shelter residents with pets; contracting for veterinary services for initial health exams and needed treatments for companion animals; expanding and providing cover to an outside kenneling area for companion animals for exercise purposes; installing and equipping a pet bathing facility; providing pet deposits to increase access to permanent housing post-shelter; and providing training to stakeholders on the intersection between domestic abuse, sexual assault and animal abuse. Expected outcomes include an increase in shelter beds available (at any one time, up to 32 beds available) to domestic violence survivors with companion animals; an increase in those survivors’ ability to leave dangerous situations; and an increase in use of evidence based, trauma-informed, appropriate responses by service organizations receiving training through the project. The service area is King County, Washington, and in particular South King County, which includes the county’s lowest-income and most culturally and linguistically diverse communities in King County. King County overall will also be served through referrals, as most domestic violence services in King County do not accept companion animals. Both services and training will be provided by staff who include bilingual English-Spanish staff, and when appropriate, by contracted professional translators. The intended beneficiaries are survivors of domestic violence who have companion animals and who fear for their animals’ safety due to threats by the abuser. There are no sub-recipients. Veterinary and one-time construction services will be contracted.