Domestic violence program plans pet shelter
More than a decade ago, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program began emergency pet kenneling for its clients, with support from area veterinarians and animal shelters.
This summer, DVIP plans to complete the Cooper's House program that will add three dog kennels and three cat havens and an outdoor dog run to its Iowa City shelter. Kristie Fortmann-Doser, DVIP's executive director, said the new kennels will allow the program's clients to bring their pets with them as they seek shelter.
"We've known for a long time that a little over 70 percent of victims of domestic and dating violence have pets. We would constantly hear on the crisis line people saying they can't leave their home because they're worried about their pets," Fortmann-Doser said.
Until now, Fortmann-Doser said, DVIP has had to send pets to other area shelters and arrange times for clients to visit their pets. In the past, DVIP has provided foster services for a variety of pets, including a donkey, a potbelly pig and eight piglets, a snake and a bearded dragon.
With the help of RedRover, a national program determined to ensure that at least one domestic violence shelter in each state has on-site kennels, Fortmann-Doser said the new on-site kennels should be completed by July. DVIP also will continue providing its emergency fostering services, she said, and will partner with the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center and pet supply store Leash on Life on Cooper's House.
Missie Forbes, DVIP's development director, said the organization has received a $6,000 construction grant from RedRover and will undertake other fundraising efforts to cover the remaining construction cost and yearly operating expenses.
"Around 48 percent, or almost half, of women have refused to leave a dangerous situation because they're worried about their pets. That's what makes this addition really important," Forbes said, adding that DVIP estimates that, on average, it will house up to 20 cats and dogs per year.
Fortmann-Doser said plans were in the works for Cooper's House well before DVIP received its $10,000 contribution from Sanctuary Community Church. The church's congregation on Easter Sunday voted to make the contribution.
Domestic Violence Intervention Program receives Easter donation
"This is a large donation for us. We have a couple of foundations, but we write grants for those as well, which are generally between $10,000 and $25,000, so this is a very large donation for us," Fortmann-Doser said.
Fortmann-Doser said the church is among a small group of supporters who make a profound impact, and she said that, in the past, the church has helped with youth programs and some remodeling work at the shelter.
"It's a significant gift, and for a faith-based resource such as theirs, it's a very significant gift. So much of the work we do just couldn't happen without the support of community members," Fortmann-Doser said.
She said she will meet with church leaders in the coming weeks to accept the donation and to talk with them about how the money may be used.
Reach Andy Davis at 319-887-5404 or at aldavis@press-citizen.com, and follow him on Twitter as @BylineAndyDavis.