# iHeartDogs Customers Support Domestic Violence Survivors and Their Pets
iHeartDogs has launched a program enabling customers to help domestic violence survivors escape unsafe situations without leaving their pets behind. The company partners with shelters and organizations that provide pet-friendly housing and resources for abuse victims.
Pet ownership creates a barrier to leaving abusive relationships. Survivors often remain in dangerous homes because shelters refuse animals or lack facilities to house them. This forces impossible choices between personal safety and abandoning beloved companions.
iHeartDogs customers donate through the program to fund pet care services, temporary housing that welcomes animals, and emergency assistance for survivors relocating with their pets. The initiative addresses a real gap in domestic violence support infrastructure.
Research shows that approximately 48 percent of domestic violence survivors delay leaving abusive situations due to concerns about their pets' safety. Animals serve as emotional anchors during trauma recovery, making their presence essential to healing.
The program works with established domestic violence organizations to ensure funds reach vetted nonprofits. Participating shelters provide secure housing, veterinary care, food, and supplies for pets while survivors access counseling, legal aid, and job training.
iHeartDogs customers see their purchases directly support this safety net. Every transaction creates a potential lifeline for someone trapped between abuse and the fear of losing a cherished animal.
The partnership recognizes that pet welfare and human safety intersect. When survivors keep their animals during escape, recovery outcomes improve. Pets reduce anxiety, provide companionship during isolation, and anchor survivors to stable routines as they rebuild.
This initiative shifts the conversation around domestic violence support. By removing the pet barrier, iHeartDogs acknowledges that comprehensive safety planning must include the entire family, animals included. The program operates year-round, responding to immediate needs while building longer-term shelter capacity for pet-owning survivors nationwide.