Pet Friendly Transitional Housing Program for Victims of Domestic Violence Project

The Women’s Resource Center’s (WRC) Pet Friendly Transitional Housing Program for Victims of Domestic Violence Project is a three year initiative to expand Rhode Island’s capacity to co-house victims of domestic violence and their companion animals in transitional housing while assisting survivors in their journey towards achieving personal, family, housing, and economic stability, with a focus on engaging individuals and organizations from historically underserved populations.

Rhode Island lacks sufficient emergency and transitional shelter and supportive services for victims of intimate partner violence with pets. To address this, WRC will implement a project with four objectives: 1) provide three new pet friendly transitional housing units to provide for the unique housing needs of domestic violence victims with companion animals, while delivering wraparound services to families residing in those units that offer additional support for meeting complex needs, goal setting and attainment, and planning for their next steps; 2) provide long-term care, support, and (when necessary) fostering or sheltering of companion animals of residents with the assistance of their partner, the Robert Potter League For Animals, Inc.; 3) in collaboration with their partner Conexión Latina, ensure that Rhode Island’s domestic violence agencies and organizations serving marginalized populations are aware of and have access to this new housing option, with a priority placed on outreach to refugee, Latino, Southeast Asian, and LGBTQ+ communities; and 4) provide training to service providers on the needs of victims with pets and the risks posed to their companion animals in abusive relationships, as well as recommended practices for supporting these victims and ensuring their confidentiality.

The beneficiaries of this project are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking and their children and pets. The service area is the state of Rhode Island, with a focus in Newport and Bristol Counties.

WRC anticipates outcomes that include: 1) three additional transitional housing units suitable for families with companion animals are occupied by victims of domestic violence, and wraparound services are received; 2) owners’ pets benefit from veterinary care, supplies, and, when necessary, fostering or sheltering of animals that require it; 3) domestic violence agencies, culturally specific and LGBTQ+ organizations, and other agencies serving traditionally underserved communities throughout Rhode Island are aware of this transitional housing option and understand the initial steps for applying; and 4) service providers are knowledgeable about the needs of domestic violence victims with pets, the risks they face in abusive relationships, and best practices for supporting victims with companion animals.