Petco Helps DVIP Launch Cooper’s House

The Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) is proud to announce that Copper’s House is now open to victims of domestic violence’s furry family members. This year Petco Foundation provided $5000 to complete renovations and support the acquisition of kennels for dogs and cats – pets of families DVIP serves in our emergency shelter.  Cooper’s House is the next level of support for victims with pets.  Up to 70% of domestic violence victims report having a pet. Abusers threaten, injure, and at times kill pets in order to control their victims and to create an environment of fear within the home. Approximately 48% of women have refused to leave a dangerous situation for fear of their pets’ safety.

DVIP is the only domestic violence program in Iowa that has an organized safe pet program. Over the past 15 years, DVIP has raised funds and recruited community support to foster and provide critical resources (medical/food) to pets.  Now with the Petco Foundation award, DVIP can enhance the therapeutic advantages of providing emergency shelter to escaping families and their pets to support and de-escalate crisis situations. The Domestic Violence Intervention Program’s Emergency Pet Sheltering project, Cooper’s House, provides a much-needed resource to get all members of the family to safety.  Within hours of Cooper’s House opening its doors to victim/survivors, we were able to provide emergency shelter to a small gray kitten. Unsure of where to turn the mother of 2, prepared her children for the possibility of having to give up their kitten in order to achieve safety. DVIP staff was able to reassure the children (ages 5 and 7) and welcome the whole family into our emergency shelter. During a confusing and scary time, the children were able to seek comfort and normalcy with their kitten on a daily basis.

While DVIP will continue its fostering program, the addition of kennels at our shelter and animal assisted therapies, DVIP is striving to find unique and creative ways to support the healing and well-being of victims and their children.  If you want to learn more about Cooper’s House and how you can contribute please visit www.dvipiowa.org/coopershouse.

The Petco Foundation believes that every animal deserves to live its best life. Since 1999, they’ve invested more than $170 million in life-saving animal welfare work to make that happen. With more than 4,000 animal welfare partners, they inspire and empower communities to make a difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay and neuter services, pet cancer research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other lifesaving initiatives. Through the Think Adoption First program, they partner with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations across the country to increase pet adoptions. So far, they’ve helped more than 5 million pets find their new loving families, and we’re just getting started. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

With the support of our amazing sponsors; Petco, Leash on Life, RedRover, BOGO Bowl, and Friends of the Animal Center Foundation DVIP is now able to provide safe homes to all members of families in crisis.