Tubman Plans the Twin Cities’ First Pet-Friendly Domestic Violence Shelter

It's difficult to start this article out with anything except the truth: 48 percent of pet owners who experience domestic violence delay leaving out of concern for their pets, according to a 2004 Anthrozoos study. Even when victim-survivors are able to get out, one study listed by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) found that about 52 percent of pet owners in domestic violence shelters had to leave their pets behind with their abusers. And, given that another NCDAV-referenced study found that 77 percent of pet-owning, women victim-survivors have witnessed their abuser hurt their pet, perhaps it's not surprising that the ASPCA claims that as many as 25 percent of victim-survivors with pets return out of concern for them.

But here's one statistic to feel hopeful about: Since January 2022, DomesticShelters.org has found that pet-friendly domestic violence shelters have increased from about 15.5 percent to just under 19 percent two years later. And, if all goes according to plan, Twin Cities nonprofit Tubman will up that number by making Harriet Tubman Center East the Twin Cities' first domestic violence shelter that can also house pets. 

While the pet shelter—dubbed Harriet's Haven for Pets—was announced in 2023, its Great Dreams Campaign is fundraising in earnest. Now through the month of May, Tubman is hoping donors will unlock the remaining $100,000 of a $500,000 match gift from Otto Bremer Trust. This money will not only help retrofit part of Tubman's Maplewood location to become the pet shelter, but it will also fund critical updates to the rest of the building and its services.

“I began my career here 30-plus years ago, working directly with survivors,” Tubman CEO Jennifer Polzin says. “I can remember names and faces of survivors who shared with me that they were scared to leave because they were concerned about their pet being left with their partner who was abusive. I remember getting crisis calls and trying to find a placement temporarily for someone's pet. I remember staff and volunteers scrambling to see who could take a pet home for a week or two while we figured out longer term housing for that family. So it's always been a need.”

A Tangible Impact

The Great Dreams Campaign's goal is to raise $8.5 million by 2025. Harriet's Haven for Pets needs $1.1 million to construct and operate the pet shelter for three years, including provided veterinary services, animal supplies, and treatments. The remaining $7.4 million will be used for additional accessible restrooms, elevators, and other safety and accessibility features, as well as investment into staff and technology.

Currently, Harriet Tubman Center East operates as a shelter for domestic violence victim-survivors and their families; transitional housing for youth and young adults who have experienced violence, exploitation, and homelessness; a legal services center; and a hub of resources. Harriet's Haven for Pets will use about 2,040 square feet of this interior (plus some additional space outside for exercise runs) for up to eight dogs and eight cats owned by Tubman's domestic violence shelter residents. The animals can stay for about a month, and owners will be able to cross over from the main area to relax, interact, and play with their pet at any time. 

“It's really designed to kind of hit that sweet spot of allowing as much time and togetherness as you want, but also being in an area that is separate, so that if we have people who are fearful or have allergies or asthma or those kind of things, as well as different cultural expectations and beliefs around pets, that all of those things can be managed in a way that is beneficial for everyone” Polzin says.

A National Push

Harriet's Haven for Pets is part of a national movement called “25 by 2025,” where animal welfare nonprofit RedRover is pushing for 25 percent of domestic violence shelters to become pet friendly by 2025. The Sacramento-based organization has created traction with tools such as Don't Forget the Pets, its resource website supported by PetSmart charities and Greater Good Charities to help organizations who want to become pet-friendly shelters. 

RedRover CEO Katie Campbell remembers when she was working as the outreach coordinator in 2016. Many domestic violence organizations weren't aware of the resources to help them take in pets, and many couldn't fathom adding more to their plate. She credits the shift to persistent outreach, public-facing partnerships like Purina's Purple Leash Project, increased funding and resources, and other organizations who have already made the leap. 

“I can tell someone how to do it five times over,” she says, “but when it's someone else who does the work that they do and says, ‘Yeah, you can do it. Here's how it works, the benefits, and challenges'—we've seen more and more organizations willing to help each other along.”

In a similar vein, Tubman is a member of the Minnesota Pet Foster Coalition, which is comprised of the Animal Humane Society, the Bond Between (formerly Secondhand Hounds), domestic violence services Cornerstone and Women's Advocates, and animal behavioral organization Four Winds Connections. The Animal Human Society and the Bond Between in particular have provided expertise around plans for the pet shelter—and how pets who have experienced trauma may have different handling, medical, and shelter needs.

Harriet's Haven for Pets is only one part of the solution, though, and Tubman is also looking to increase short-term foster volunteers for pets. Polzin says, “We see Harriet's Haven for Pets, our onsite program at Tubman, and the foster option really being essential parts of a continuum that work well together.”