Behind the scenes: How RedRover’s grant helps Haven welcome pets at our shelter

Behind the scenes: Here's one way Haven staff support our pet-friendly shelter -- buying pet supplies at Dee-Oh-Gee Bozeman!

Enormous thanks to RedRover for their generous multi-year grant that has helped us create and sustain the pets program at The Barnard Center. It’s the first time in Haven’s 40+ year history that we’ve been able to welcome pets, thanks to RedRover’s Safe Housing grant. 

Here’s more from their website: 

Safe Housing grants are available up to $60,000 and can be used to build or renovate spaces dedicated to housing survivors’ pets, to create a foster program, to pay for temporary boarding, or can be used for a combination of services. Funds may also go toward routine veterinary care, emergency veterinary care, and pet deposits.

With up to 65 percent of domestic violence survivors with pets delaying leaving an abusive relationship for fear of what would happen to their pet, this Safe Housing grant has been a big help to Haven as we’ve identified and removed this obstacle for people considering leaving. 

In our first year of operation as a pet-friendly emergency shelter, we’ve welcomed not only the dogs and cats we’d been expecting, but also pets of more variety, including guinea pigs, a gecko, and a hamster. Thanks to this grant and to our community, we’ve been able to welcome more than 20 pets since opening our doors in May 2023. 

If you’re a survivor looking for a safe place to stay and you have a pet (or pets), call Haven’s 24-hour support line at 406-586-4111 and talk with an advocate today.