READING, Pa. – SAFE Berks is making some changes to allow survivors to keep their furry friends with them when they come seeking shelter.
“A pet for many people is a family member,” said SAFE Berks CEO, Beth Garrigan.
She says since Covid, the shelter has seen a steady increase in the number of people reaching out for help.
“Our capacity in the shelter is typically at or over capacity, so expanding has been something that was really necessary,” Garrigan explained.
Thanks to grant money, an entire wing is being converted into six additional bedrooms, three of which are pet friendly and will allow people to keep their animals right in their rooms.
“Projects like this are really important to survivors of domestic violence,” said Patrick Hilaire, Greater Good Charities senior program manager. “Statistics show nearly 50% of survivors will delay leaving a situation if they’re not able to take their pet with them.”
One of the newly converted pet-friendly rooms at SAFE Berks in Reading.
Hilaire says the global non-profit is working toward the goal that, by next year, 25% of domestic violence shelters are pet friendly.
“We tend to go on the bigger side for a crate and things. That way, a small dog could be in there, a large dog could be in there,” Hilaire said. “Cats, really, the sky is the limit. Cats that want to climb on walls, we’ll have some shelves and enrichment for them.”
There will also be an outdoor play space for dogs.
“The human/animal bond is really what we’re kind of trying to preserve here,” added Hilaire. “Projects like this, especially the in-room housing where the people are living together with their pets as they would be in their own home, are really beneficial.”
“I am pretty sure that this will show there is a significant need to have space available for survivors that have pets that are critical to their healing process,” said Garrigan. “So I do believe we are going to need more than just three bedrooms.”
