MCCC Healing Place Pet Shelter Program

Utilizing its current Healing Place sexual assault crisis center and shelter facilities, Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, Inc. (MCCC) proposes to ensure individuals fleeing domestic violence situations with companion animals are able to secure safe, temporary shelter and are supported in finding safe, long-term housing. The program will serve individuals fleeing domestic violence situations and their companion animals in the five Appalachian Kentucky counties of Floyd, Johnson, Martin, Magoffin, and Pike. In partnership with OVC, MCCC will accomplish three primary goals: 1) Secure the safety of companion animals through temperature-controlled housing, handler safety education, and medical services as needed; 2) Provide emergency, short-term, and transitional shelter and housing assistance for victims of crime seeking shelter with a companion animal; and 3) Provide support services to assist clients in locating and securing safe housing for victims fleeing a situation of domestic violence and the victim’s companion animal(s). Under goal 1, MCCC will install six temperature-controlled kennels at the Healing Place so that up to six companion animals can be sheltered with their owners at current facilities. MCCC will ensure the safety of all sheltered individuals and companion animals by requesting vet/vaccination records and facilitating vaccination and/or access to medication as needed. Under goal 2, MCCC will provide shelter to a minimum of 15 victims with companion animals in Year 1 and 25 in Years 2 and 3 (65 total), and provide pet safety training, which includes hygiene, safe handling, and shelter policies so that 100% of individuals sheltered with companion animals complete training. Under goal 3, MCCC will provide assistance locating and securing housing so that 80% of individuals seeking housing are able to secure long-term housing within one year of engaging in shelter/housing services.