ST. LOUIS – Purina teamed up with Women’s Safe House on Tuesday to host the grand opening of Pet Safe House.
The new addition will allow domestic violence victims to keep their pets with them while staying at the Women's Safe House.
“Pet Safe House here is the first emergency kennel in St. Louis,” Purina brand manager Noah Hefer said.
The new facility will house eight dogs. This is innovative for shelters, as only 15% of domestic violence shelters allow pets.
Purina donated $60,000 to the new shelter from the Purple Leash Project. Purina helps provide programs and therapy for dogs who have been abused due to domestic violence.
“This will mean a lot to women who continue to live in dangerous conditions because of their animals,” said Mary Ann Owens, CEO of Women's Safe House. . “So I’m very happy about that.”
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Councilwoman Daniela Velasquez (6th Ward) said the house will be a beacon of compassion and understanding. This is one of her 47 grants that Purina has given to family shelters across the country.
“When we learned the statistics that one in three women and one in four men experience domestic violence in their lifetime, we wanted to make it possible for them to take their pets with them. '' Heffer said.
In addition to dogs and cats, the shelter will also take in other animals, from gerbils to birds, Owens said.
More than 70% of domestic violence victims say their pets were also abused. For more information about Women's Safe House or Pet Safe House, call the Crisis Line at (314) 772-4535 or visit www.twsh.org.
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