Emergency Pet Facility
In 2017 DVIP renovated a room in the emergency shelter to accommodate our furriest victims/survivors. We provide safe shelter to approximately 20 pets of victims/survivors a year at Cooper’s House and assist with fostering larger animals throughout our service region.
In 2022, Cooper’s House expanded to provide outside kennels and dog runs within the backyard of our emergency shelter. The Cooper’s House and the outdoor expansion project were made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor, Red Rover, and Forever Green Garden Center. The outside play space is located safely adjacent to the youth play area, which allows pets to have more space and time to play outdoors and interact with their family.
In March 2023 DVIP announced the Finding Safety, Building Hope new shelter campaign, which was completed in September 2024. The new trauma-informed shelter includes Cooper’s House Pet Suites, which will allow pets from the same home to shelter together or separately and offer the comforts of a home with living room-like features and individual access to the outdoors. This update will allow victims/survivors the freedom to visit their pets whenever needed, for as long as needed, and can consist of specified goals and objectives for each individual, focusing on nurturing, grief, loss, and rebuilding trust.
Our Commitment to Fostering Pets
Up to 70% of domestic violence victims report having a pet. Abusers threaten, injure, and at times kill pets to control their victims and to create an environment of fear within the home. Approximately 50% of victims have refused to leave a dangerous situation for fear of their pets’ safety. DVIP & RVAP is one of two domestic violence programs in Iowa that has an organized safe pet program, and is the only program in the state that provides in-shelter space for victims/survivors to bring their pets with them when fleeing a dangerous situation.
In 2015, our organization was awarded a national grant from RedRover to expand our support services from a pet fostering program to a pet sheltering program. This funding helped us realize our goal of providing kennel services in our emergency shelter. With the funds from RedRover, we purchased the small pet havens, appropriate flooring, venting, and bathing units. We have maintained our foster program, but by adding kennels we could provide flexibility and unique support. We understand the therapeutic value of families and pets staying together when they are in crisis.
The Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center assisted with training our staff and volunteers who are committed to Cooper’s House. We have also recruited local veterinarians to provide medical screening of pets coming into the shelter free of charge. Through the generous support of various foundations and individual donors can provide emergency and preventative care to victim-survivor’s pets that utilize our services in and out of our emergency shelter.
Over the past 21 years, DVIP & RVAP has facilitated the fostering of horses, a donkey, pigs, rats, snakes, bearded dragons, rabbits, a tarantula, and of course, cats and dogs.
As advocates and pet owners know, the human-animal bond can facilitate healing, aid attachment, and provide a source of comfort in the process of healing and finding safety. Supporting our furriest survivors helps to remove the barriers that victims/survivors face every day as they seek safety and a new future without abuse.
How can I help?
Throughout the year we will need donations of money for services, dog food, cat food, and pet deposits. Other helpful items will include leashes, collars, portable kennels, litter boxes, toys, food/water bowls, bedding, and towels.
Thank you to our Cooper’s House sponsors!