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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
WITH A NEW $45,000 GRANT FROM PETSMART CHARITIES®, THE AZ COALITION TO END SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE’s BaRC PROJECT IS HELPING TO KEEP SURVIVORS AND PETS TOGETHER
April 5, 2019— Phoenix, AZ – The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV) recently received a $45,000 grant from PetSmart Charities, the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, designed to help keep more survivors and pets together throughout Arizona.
When people are experiencing life changes and challenges such as seeking shelter or services because of sexual or domestic violence, a pet can add an extra layer of both support and healing in addition to complexity and concern. Pet parents in these situations often feel they have no other option but to surrender their beloved pets to local animal welfare organizations when seeking victim services.
With the help of this new grant, the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence is committed to offering solutions that will help pets stay within their loving homes and families. Unfortunately, up to 40% of sexual and domestic violence survivors report they delayed their decision to seek safety and services out of fear for their animals’ safety. ACESDV’s Barrier Reduction Collaborative (BaRC) project offers solutions and support for survivors with pets. The BaRC project helps remove barriers to safety for survivors through funding for pet-related expenses, such as pet rental deposits, transportation of pets, veterinary fees, and pet boarding fees. The BaRC project also provides education and support to sexual and domestic violence programs to better assist survivors with pets.
“We’re thrilled to partner with PetSmart Charities and offer the BaRC project to sexual and domestic violence survivors and the Arizona community as a whole,” said Tasha Menaker, Co-CEO of Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. “Pets provide an incredible source of healing and support for survivors and people who have experienced trauma. This project is removing barriers many survivors face when seeking safety for themselves and their pets.”
“Pets are often a source of strength and comfort, and in many instances can be a deciding factor to seek shelter from an unsafe situation,” said Jenny Aho, regional relationship manager at PetSmart Charities. “As an Arizona-based organization, we are proud to support the work of the ACESDV’s BaRC project, that provides resources to our community which helps bridge the gap to a safer environment for both people and pets.” Funding from PetSmart Charities supports animal welfare organizations and non-profits committed to reducing pet homelessness and enhancing the human-animal bond. For more information, visit www.PetSmartCharities.org.
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About the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV) works to dismantle oppression and promote equity among all people, focusing on increasing public awareness about sexual and domestic violence and enhancing safety and services for survivors. ACESDV was originally founded as the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 1980, so that concerned citizens and professionals could unite in a statewide organization to end domestic violence. In 2013, the coalition became the designated dual coalition to address both sexual and domestic violence in Arizona, thus becoming the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. ACESDV provides training and technical assistance to responders, service providers, and community members, engages in public policy advocacy and public awareness initiatives, and provides direct services through their Sexual and Domestic Violence Services Helpline and online chat.
Follow ACESDV on Twitter: twitter.com/acesdv
Find ACESDV on Facebook: facebook.com/ACESDV
See ACESDV on Instagram: instagram.com/AZCESDV
About PetSmart Charities®
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is committed to finding lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps to find forever homes and families for more than 500,000 shelter pets each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to nonprofits aligned with its mission. Each year, millions of generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $390 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart Inc., PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, a third-party organization that reports on the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of nonprofits, for the past 16 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of charities rated by this organization. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.
Follow PetSmart Charities on Twitter: @PetSmartChariTs
Find PetSmart Charities on Facebook: Facebook.com/PetSmartCharities
See PetSmart Charities on YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc
Media Contact:
Tasha Menaker, Co-CEO of ACESDV 24-Hour PetSmart Charities
602-279-2900 ext. 426 Media Line: 623-587-2177
tasha@acesdv.org