IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - This summer, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program plans to add three dog kennels, three cat havens and an outdoor dog run to its Iowa City shelter.
The program began emergency pet kenneling for domestic abuse victims more than a decade ago, sending pets to area veterinarians and animal shelters, the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported (https://icp-c.com/1PNxWpz ) Saturday.
Now, victims will be able to bring their pets to the shelter and its new on-site kennels, which should be completed by July.
“We’ve known for a long time that a little over 70 percent of victims of domestic and dating violence have pets,” program director Kristie Fortmann-Doser said. “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 credited the new kennels to RedRover, a national program attempting to ensure at least one domestic violence shelter in each state has on-site kennels.
Program officials said the Iowa City shelter received a $6,000 construction grant from RedRover and $10,000 from Sanctuary Community Church. Domestic Violence Intervention Program will undertake other fundraising efforts to cover the remaining construction cost and yearly operating expenses, officials said.
The program also will continue providing its emergency fostering services if needed, Fortmann-Doser said.
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Information from: Iowa City Press-Citizen, https://www.press-citizen.com/
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