One in three women and one in four men may experience domestic abuse in the US at some point in their lives. Pet owners may find it challenging to leave an abuser because just 15% of domestic violence shelters in the United States allow animals. If they can’t take their pet with them to a shelter, over half of abuse victims will put off leaving the abuser.
Since more than ten years ago, Purina and RedRover have been fervently addressing this issue by offering grants, materials, and assistance to domestic violence shelters so they can better meet the needs of abuse victims who have pets. In an effort to raise awareness of the dearth of pet-friendly options for survivors, they recently sought the aid of two new and old friends, talk show personality and journalist Tamron Hall and Washington Commanders defensive end James Smith-Williams.
According to Nina Leigh Krueger, CEO and president of Nestle Purina North America, “Pets have a unique power to break down borders, inspire empathy, and help us start conversations about complex situations like domestic abuse.” And genuine change is being brought about in the way abuse survivors with pets are supported as a result of the dialogues we are having today.
James participates in the My Cause My Cleats program, which allows professional football players to represent their preferred cause or organization on game day by donning specially made cleats. James enjoys spending time with his mixed-breed dog, Luna. They’ll then have the choice to offer up their cleats for a fan auction, with all the money raised benefiting the players’ chosen charities. James will donate the money made from the sale of his cleats to the Purple Leash Project.
In her third year as a Purple Leash Project partner, Tamron, a lifelong animal lover whose sister was cruelly killed by an abuser, continues to be a champion for survivors with her new Bernedoodle dog, Exodus, by her side.
Purina has contributed more than $1 million to the Purple Leash Project since its inception in 2019 and is currently collaborating with RedRover to achieve the objective of ensuring that at least 25% of domestic violence shelters are pet-friendly by 2025.
Learn more at: purpleleashproject.com.
10 Ways To Reduce Cat Stress and Anxiety