The tragedy of a domestic violence situation can be compounded when pets are involved. Not only do abusers often threaten or harm the animals, but they can use them as pawns, a way to control their victim.
With that in mind, the Soteria House — a 24-hour shelter in Logan County that provides free, temporary housing — partners with the RedRover program to offer a safe space option for the pets of survivors and their children.
Based in Sacramento, Calif., RedRover’s mission is to “bring animals out of crisis.” In instances of domestic abuse, that includes covering the funds needed to shelter, feed and vaccinate the pets.
Jessica Ford, emergency shelter coordinator at Soteria House, discovered the RedRover program.
“We had a lot of survivors who had animals we couldn’t take in,” she said.
In her research, Ford came across RedRover and Safe Escape grants, which helps with the cost of temporary pet boarding while a client is at the shelter.
As with all applicants, Ford, a registered advocate, fills out the application. In the process, she asks if the survivor has a pet(s) that also needs cared for. If so, she fills out the Safe Escape paperwork before the client gets to Soteria house so the animal will already have a place to go.
That application is then sent to RedRover for approval, which is done on a case-by-case basis.
“They normally respond within five minutes,” Ford said. “They’re very quick considering how busy they must be.”
Once approved, the pets are vaccinated, usually at Irwin Animal Clinic in Bellefontaine. While cats are admitted to the shelter immediately, then vaccinated, dogs have to get their shots first, most likely due to their more social nature.
Ford has arranged to board these rescued animals at Our House Pet Care on U.S. Route 68, Bellefontaine, run by Blythe Moorhouse. RedRover pays Our House $12 a day for up to 90 days with no extra charge for food. If a pet still needs boarding after 90 days, the case is re-evaluated and extended accordingly.
Survivors are allowed to visit their pet once a week while at the shelter.
“It can lead to emotional issues,” Ford added. “I help them stay mindful of that so they’re prepared.”
The collaboration between Soteria House and RedRover has been in place since 2020. In those two years, though they’ve received numerous calls looking for pet boarding, Ford has only needed to utilize the program four or five times. With the rest, it didn’t work out or the victim didn’t show up.
RedRover assistance only covers the costs to care for the pets while the client is at the shelter. As a result, Ford said the community can participate by donating dog and cat food, litter and litter boxes since many survivors leave the house without any of these items, and it “helps them get back on their feet.”
Soteria House has been under TCN Behavioral Health Services since 2019 but opened its doors as a domestic violence shelter in Bellefontaine in February 2016. Ford, who moved to the area with her mother in high school, is a 2009 Indian Lake High School graduate.
If you are in a crisis situation — or know someone who is — you can contact the Soteria House crisis hotline at (877) 394-1046 or call the shelter directly at (937) 404-2365. Program director Debbie Brownlee and legal advocate Casey Rhine can be reached at New Directions — (937) 593-5777.