Domestic Violence Awareness Month - The Purple Lease Foundation

The Connection: Domestic Violence and Animal Displacement

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, it is vital to bring attention to an often overlooked barrier for survivors: the pets left behind or displaced. We can all agree that domestic violence rates are way too high and an ongoing issue in society. Domestic Violence is in itself misunderstood in many ways. Survivors of Domestic Violence, men, women and children face so many tough decisions to break that cycle. One of the casualties of Domestic Violence is also our pets. When abuse destroys a home, survivors face the impossible choice between their own physical safety and leaving a beloved family dog or pet in danger.

Statistics: Dogs & Pets Displaced by Domestic Violence

• Lack of Pet-Friendly Shelters: Nationally, only about 20% of domestic violence shelters in the U.S. are equipped to accept pets on-site.

• Delayed Escape: Because temporary housing options for pets are so scarce, nearly half of survivors (48%) delay leaving an abusive relationship out of fear for what will happen to their dogs or pets.

• Pets Used as Leverage and Control: Over 70% to 75% of survivors entering domestic violence shelters report that their abuser threatened, harmed, or killed a family pet to assert power, exact revenge, or force the victim to stay.

• Displacement and Temporary Surrender: Thousands of dogs each year end up displaced into emergency foster care networks, long-term boarding facilities, or local animal shelters—and in tragic cases, surrendered permanently—simply because the survivor has nowhere safe to take them.

The Purple Leash Project

The Purple Leash Project is a major national movement created through a partnership between Purina and the national non-profit organization RedRover.

Key Information & Mission:

• Why "Purple": Purple is the official color for Domestic Violence Awareness, and a purple leash symbolizes the unbreakable, healing bond between human survivors and their pets.

• Core Goal: To transform domestic violence shelters nationwide into pet-friendly spaces so that survivors and their pets can escape, heal, and rebuild their lives together without being separated.

• Impact & Grants: Since launching, the project has awarded over $2 million in grants across more than 30 states to assist domestic violence shelters in renovating facilities, building outdoor dog runs, creating indoor pet accommodations, and providing veterinary care.

• Goal for 2030: The initiative is committed to providing 1 million safe nights for survivors and their pets by the end of 2030 (having already provided over 260,000 safe nights).

How to Highlight This Campaign in October

1. Educate & Advocate: Share the statistic that 1 in 2 survivors with pets will delay leaving due to housing restrictions, raising awareness around the critical need for pet-friendly domestic violence shelters.

2. Support Pet-Friendly Shelters: Encourage local communities to support domestic violence shelters that partner with rescue organizations or temporary foster networks.

3. Symbolic Purple Leashes: Use purple leashes or purple ribbons in marketing, videos, or store displays to open up conversations about protecting both humans and their animal companions.