October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: How You Can Support Survivors and Their Pets
RedRover is championing efforts of DV shelters with resources to support victims and their pets. photo: redrover.com
Can we all agree that our pets are part of our families? If you’re reading Bay Woof, the answer is almost certainly yes. So it may - or may not - surprise you to learn about the connection between domestic violence and animal abuse.
In fact, more than 70% of women entering domestic violence shelters report that an abuser threatened, injured, or killed a pet as a means of control. And nearly 50% of domestic violence survivors stay with an abuser rather than leave a pet behind. Compounding the problem, just 20% of domestic violence shelters offer pet housing programs.
RedRover, a national animal welfare nonprofit based in Sacramento, has helped domestic violence survivors and their pets seek safety together since 2007. The group provides small grants to cover the cost of temporary pet boarding if a survivor must use a shelter that doesn’t accept animals. In addition, they offer grants of up to $60,000 to help domestic violence shelters, animal shelters, and homeless shelters create custom pet housing programs so that no one has to leave their pets behind in a dangerous situation. And RedRover’s work continues to grow. In 2019, they joined forces with Purina to create the Purple Leash Project with the goal of creating more dedicated safe spaces across the country so survivors and their pets can escape abuse together.
What is Domestic Violence Awareness Month?
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a chance to show your support for survivors and their families, including their four-legged members. This started back in 1981 when the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (now merged with the National Domestic Violence Hotline) declared October 17 as a national “Day of Unity.” Choosing purple as the official color of their fledgling movement, organizers hoped to raise awareness about domestic violence and support survivors at a time when this issue was still largely hidden from public view. Eight years later, Congress officially designated October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989.
How You Can Help
Purple Thursday, held each year on October’s third Thursday, was created as a way for people to show solidarity with domestic violence survivors by wearing the color purple. On this day, social media is often filled with photos and videos of supporters sporting purple shirts, socks, ties, hats, scarfs, nail polish, and of course, dogs in purple collars and leashes. It’s a simple way to show your support and bring attention to the cause.
October is also a great time to learn more about how you can strengthen support for survivors and their pets. For the second year, RedRover will observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month by hosting a virtual two-part series featuring special guest speakers. Topics include the link between domestic violence and animal abuse, the power of the human-animal bond, and why collaboration and partnerships are essential to leveraging resources and creating safer pathways for survivors and pets. To register for one or both of the below sessions, please visit redrover.org/DVAM.
Domestic Violence and Pets: Advancing Safety and Healing
Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. PST on Zoom
RedRover will be joined by panelists Katie Ray-Jones with the National Domestic Violence Hotline; Ashley Rumschlag with DomesticShelters.org; Liz Graham with 180 Turning Lives Around; and Shoshana Mostoller with My Dog is My Home. Together these experts will explore the human-animal bond, the growing movement towards pet-inclusive services and housing, and resources and opportunities to advance this work in communities nationwide.
Impactful Partnerships: Supporting Both Ends of the Leash
Thursday, October 29, 2026, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. PST on Zoom
In this one-hour session, RedRover will be joined by Noa Hefer with Nestle Purina and Alexandra Sheedy-Rodriguez with Reed Smith, LLC. Learn how business and nonprofit leaders can leverage their expertise, resources, and networks - from legal support and grant funding to public awareness campaigns - to strengthen vital services and advance safety for survivors and their pets.
Other Ways to Show Support in October and Beyond
Want to do more to support Domestic Violence Awareness Month and help survivors in October and beyond? Here’s how:
Add a digital purple ribbon to your professional and social media pages.
Wear a purple ribbon - and be ready to talk about what it means when people ask.
Wear purple clothing or accessories throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month or on Purple Thursday.
Reach out to your local domestic violence organizations to find out what they need; then organize a clothing, food, or pet supplies drive.
Like and share social media posts about DVAM and the Purple Leash Project.
Follow these organizations on social media:
National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)
DomesticShelters.org, which includes a comprehensive database for domestic violence shelters with pet-friendly programs.
Look for a local DVAM event where you live.
Visit Shop.PurpleLeashProject.com for exclusive items and apparel that support survivors and pets.
Know a shelter that might be interested in creating a pet-housing program? Share RedRover and Greater Good Charities’ Don’t Forget the Pets website so they can learn about their free Housing People and Pets in Crisis workshop.
October is a great time to shine a light on this issue that too many people are still reluctant to talk about. So let’s all do our part to support survivors and their pets during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Better yet, let’s keep that support going all year long by helping to increase shelter options for everyone, including our four-legged family members. After all, they deserve protection from domestic violence, too.