The Domestic Violence Intervention Center, along with the Auburn University Department of Psychological Services and the College of Veterinary Medicine, received $60,000 in grant funding from RedRover to create a Safe Housing Pet Program.
RedRover is an organization that works to rescue animals from crises and strengthen the bond between people and animals. The nonprofit's 25 by 2025 plan aims to have at least 25% of domestic violence shelters become pet-friendly.
The funding helps build the pet shelters, provide pet supplies, help with boarding costs and cover veterinary care. The grant is funded by PetSmart Charities, and five other shelters in Indiana, Minnesota and Washington received funding from PetSmart Charities as well.
RedRover partnered with pet food brand, Purina, in 2019 and launched the Purple Leash Project. The collaboration works to increase the number of pet-friendly domestic violence shelters nationwide and to spread awareness.
Research shows that there is a strong link between animal abuse and domestic violence. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 71% of women living in domestic violence shelters reported that their abuser threatened, abused or killed a pet as a way of control. Nearly half of victims stay in abusive households so that they don't have to leave their pets behind.
The program will consist of a secure housing facility and veterinary care for the pets of domestic violence survivors. The reason is to keep the pets safe from any harm or emotional distress.
Emma Lathan-Powell, assistant professor of psychological sciences at Auburn University, researches primarily on improving systemic responses to gender-based violence through evaluating and implementing programs that are trauma-informed.
“Although we do know that domestic violence and animal abuse often co-occur, few domestic violence shelters have safe housing pet programs,” Lathan-Powell said. “This program will have a far-reaching impact in the Auburn and Opelika communities by ensuring the safety of both the survivors and their pets."
Lathan-Powell also operates the LOTUS Lab, a trauma-focused research lab at Auburn University. Regarding the lab's name, LOTUS stands for Learning to Overcome Trauma and Uplift Systems. The lotus flower also represents strength and resilience in many cultures, as the flower takes root in mud and grows toward the sun, even in dirty water.
Lathan-Powell and her team focus on community-based work that helps better the outcomes for victims of sexual assault, intimate partner violence and other interpersonal traumas. The research is action-based, with the methods being used to address trauma as a public health concern and provide sustainable trauma-informed change.
Pets can help alleviate stress or provide emotional support. Pets also help ease loneliness and provide comfort to their owners.
Lathan-Powell encourages more health centers to add pet programs for domestic abuse victims because she understands that their pets need just as much care.
“The availability of a pet program not only encourages help-seeking, but it also promotes healing,” Lathan-Powell said. “Human-animal bonds are critical for those in crisis situations and can foster healing and recovery from trauma.”
The bonds between pets and humans can be so strong that if they are separated for a long time, they could both feel negative emotions.
“Separation from pets can contribute to further stress anxiety," Lathan-Powell said. “Many domestic violence survivors delay help-seeking or decline to enter a shelter if it requires leaving their pets behind in a dangerous environment, often unprotected.”
DVIC Executive Director Zenene Davis; Phillip Moon and Brendan Bergquist of the Auburn University Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital; Gary Hunt of the Opelika Animal Hospital; and Lathan-Powell are all collaborating to help DVIC create the Safe Housing Pet Program.
This program will be the first in East Alabama.
The DVIC is the only domestic violence emergency shelter in East Alabama that serves the Lee, Chambers, Macon, Randolph and Tallapoosa counties.
The shelter anticipates to be open in early 2025.
RedRover also helps victims understand if they are in an abusive relationship. According to RedRover, eight signs may indicate an abusive relationship that involves pets. The partner:
- threatens to harm or kill the pet
- has deliberately threatened, harmed or scared the pet to intimidate the victim or the children
- thrown an object or behaved violently toward the pet
- refused to feed or provide vet care for the pet
- prevented the victim from spending money on the pet or socializing with other pet owners
- refused to grant the victim custody of the pet
- smacked, kicked, beaten or killed the victim's pet
- used the pet to control the victim's emotions or actions.
Lathan-Powell provided guidance for those who have a friend or loved one affected by domestic violence.
"The importance of providing an emotionally safe space for survivors cannot be understated — a nonjudgmental space in which friends and family respect the survivor’s choices, avoid shaming or blaming them, and understand the reasons why they may stay. Survivors know their situation best, so you can start by asking what they need." Lathan-Powell said.
Support can look like creating a safety plan where a code word for safety is created or packing an emergency bag full of essential items like cash or prepaid cards, clothing, birth certificates and other important records. Providing a safe space for support and encouragement is important too, as victims sometimes aren't ready to leave their situation yet.
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Albert Osorio is a senior from Hoover, Alabama, who is majoring in journalism. He joined The Plainsman in January 2024.
Michaela Yielding is a senior in journalism currently serving as the news editor. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since fall 2023.
