Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded over $50,000 in grant funding to help pets belonging to victims of domestic violence when their owners flee to safe shelters.
According to ABC News, the governor’s office said the grant was awarded to the Humane Society of Shelby County Inc. in Columbiana. The Shelby SafePet program, which will help pet owners in Shelby, St. Clair, and Jefferson counties, was founded in May 2018 to protect animals caught up in family violence situations.
According to the Shelby SafePet website, the purpose of the program is to, “assist survivors of domestic violence by partnering with organizations that provide emergency shelter, and creating a network of veterinarians and volunteers to care for animals while women and children find the support they need.” The program aims to help domestic violence victims because currently there are no shelter programs in Alabama that provide free veterinary care, food, boarding, and pet deposits for victims of domestic violence. Some victims choose to stay in violent homes when they learn they cannot take their pets with them when they leave.
“Pets are a very important part of a family, but they’re often forgotten when family members have to escape a violent situation at home,” Gov. Ivey commented. “The Humane Society of Shelby County has worked diligently to ensure that pets receive proper care while their owners are staying in a domestic violence shelter. I am pleased to support this program.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant through funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice. ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management, and recreation development. Matching funds of $13,000 will supplement the grant.
“As a proud dog owner herself, Gov. Ivey is concerned about the welfare of pets during awful family situations,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join the governor in support of this program.”
