The first time I was introduced to Red Rover Charities was during a time when a family member was experiencing a domestic violent situation and had real concerns that her two large dogs would not accepted into the shelter. It was a real crisis, since she was being physically and sexually abused, and she had real reservations that her dogs would also be abused, poisoned or even tortured by her partner. Her abuser had disconnected her landline, took away her cell phone, would lock her in her room at night and limited her time on the internet. She was able to contact me by using a neighbor’s phone.
Red Rover Charities provide emergency shelter to domestic violence survivors and their pets. The company provides emergency grant funds, resources and support to low-income individuals who are trying to escape their violent situation with their pet(s). These grants are about $250 each and help to fill a gap in services as the victim transfers from the house to the shelter. If you are interested in investing in a cause, the website is: https://redrover.org/relief/urgent-care-grants/.
Another type of grant is called safe escape grants, and it helps to pay for the pet boarding. This is a bit more involved, and information can be found here: https://redrover.org/relief-dv/dv-safe-escape-grants/
Over the years they have added additional services, such as rescuing animals from cruelty, puppy mills and other emergency situations. There are ways to give, donate and volunteer. Providing veterinary care to the animals is one of the services provided in these facilities. Several years ago, one of their goals was to provide at least one shelter in each state.
Some individuals have spoken about renovating abandoned foreclosed mansions sold at auction or donated by the family. With the increase in domestic violence homes, abusers are home more frequently, due to the pandemic, reduced wages or job loss. Multiple ideas and thoughts were tossed around to figure out how the facilities could provide credential and licensed professionals to assist with the transition and ongoing care from the violent home to a more stable environment. More therapeutic ideas and long-term solutions were proposed. Even transition to a tiny home residential area made from intermodal containers (the ones you see on railroad lines or on cargo ships), with a self-sustaining operation in which everyone contributed. These were a few of the factors considered, but I cannot speak further of this as it is well beyond my scope of knowledge. My thought was once it was figured out, one would need to create a working prototype.
Nonetheless, leaving pets in an abusive environment should be criminal. It’s a very difficult situation. Sometimes, when a victim attempts to leave, the abuser will find them and bring them back home. The abuse escalates to an abhorrent level. Imagine the victim coming home to find their starving dog, chained in a below zero garage surrounded with snow and obstacles so the dog can’t leave. The starving dog has been eating raw meat that has been poisoned. And after gorging on the food, now has blood oozing from their body, excessive salivation, dry heaving, vomiting blood, collapsing and convulsing. This did not happen to me, however, hearing similar or worse heart wrench stories in the news is what made me more aware of animal abuse, and finding charities and non-profits who could intervene in emergencies.
It is very difficult for a person to feel safe after being in a domestic violent (DV) home. A bag is always packed, and in the closet ready to go, even for the kids. It’s the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop. It’s important for the victim to set daily goals, even if for the short term, getting closer to the long-term dream, even if it is only to escape and be free. As the days get shorter, and colder and the weather becomes inclement, an uptick in the DV situations can create an environment of rising tension, stress and a shortage of food, a lack of heat. A victim can feel alone and isolated, especially when the abuser turns his/her family against them. All attempts to get a job are thwarted, attempts at creating connections in the neighborhood, apartment complex, church, social activities are shut down. The victim and kids (if any) are stuck, with very little resources and help available. Thing is, there may be people who know what is going on, want to help, and don’t know how to provide assistance. Any outside help to the abuser looks like a threat, getting caught and going to jail, causing an episode of rage and violence. Most likely the victim(s) will sustain injury or abuse. It’s a very tricky situation.
Growing up, many of my childhood friends were adopted from many different countries. Their traditions, culture, way of life, family expectations were all in vast contrast to each other. As I got to know them over the school year, they told me their secret and that they needed help. The heartbreaking story of most of these friends is that they were being abused by a step-parent, and in some cases the stepmom knew and didn’t stop or intervene. The best thing I could do as an 11-year-old, was be their friend, bring them food, band aids, shampoo and my old clothing.
I immediately told my folks what was happening, and it was my mom who got on the phone to report the parents to authorities. The kids were sent to doctors to be evaluated, some removed immediately, criminal charges pressed against the perps. One girl, a few years old than me, was pregnant. Though I didn’t see them again, I heard they were removed from their home, and an investigative search was conducted. It turned out that one of them was kidnapped, and was reunited with their family. Another disappeared, not to be found. There were several others placed in different homes, and I fervently prayed they were with healthy functional families.
If the security is well maintained at a domestic violence shelter, an abuser won’t be able to get in or harass the victim there. However, this is typically the first place an abuser will go. If there isn’t room, then the victim goes where? On the streets? At a church? When facilities are full and cannot sustain additional cots or rooms, where does someone go, especially with kids and pets? It’s an extremely challenging situation. With the right resources and knowledge, a community of people can create an safe and peaceful space during this chaotic time.
PC: Bargais
