top of page
Rescue Puppy

SAFE HOUSING FOR PETS

Image by Eric Ward

Thanks to a new partnership with Lewis & Clark Humane Society, The Friendship Center is now able to offer temporary, safe housing for pets at no cost to our clients.


Leaving any kind of relationship can be difficult, and the stakes are often much more dire in an abusive relationship. Any threat to an established pattern of power and control can be intolerable for an abuser. Leaving can be the sign of defiance that triggers new extremes of violence against both survivors and their loved ones. Sadly, the harm can extend to beloved pets.


The connection between pets and domestic violence is stronger than most realize. Consider some of the following facts:

  • Up to 70% of domestic violence victims have pets. Of those with pets, 48-71% report that their pets have been abused or killed.

  • Anywhere between one in five to over three in five domestic violence victims delay leaving a dangerous situation because they don’t know where to place or how to protect their pets. Some survivors will even resort to living in their cars to avoid being separated from their pets—an option that comes with its own safety risks since homelessness greatly increases a person’s risk of violent victimization.

  • Abusive partners often use the bond between survivors and their pets to control, manipulate, and isolate. As many as 25% of survivors will return because the abuser is using a pet as a pawn to coerce a survivor into returning.

  • As of May 2024, only 19% of domestic violence shelters in the U.S. are equipped to accommodate pets. As a result, more than half of survivors in shelters leave their pets with abusers.

  • 91% of survivors say that their pet was significant in their ability to survive and heal.

 

Like the majority of shelter facilities for those fleeing violence, The Friendship Center's onsite safe shelter is not designed to house animals, and our offsite emergency shelter options are similarly limiting. This gap in safe housing for pets leaves many survivors in our own community faced with making the impossible choice between their own safety, and the safety of their pets.


With the support of a RedRover Safe Housing grant, The Friendship Center is now teaming up with Lewis & Clark Humane Society (LCHS) to offer free safe housing for pets to those who are escaping violence. By offering this service in our community, it’s our hope that we’re helping to subtract at least one of the complex reasons that so many survivors struggle to leave an abusive relationship.


Beyond eliminating violence, we envision a community where everyone can access the healing and resources they need to thrive in healthy relationships. For many of us, pets are among the most unconditional sources of love we have. Working together to give people and their companion animals the space and safety to heal together is one powerful way we can stem the cycle of abuse and lay a foundation of hope for survivors in our community.


If you or somebody you know is experiencing domestic violence, and safe housing for a pet is a barrier to leaving a relationship or seeking resources like safe shelter, LCHS and TFC can help!
 

lchs_logo_494x156.png
  • How long can my pet/s stay in this program?
    Animals can participate free of charge for one consecutive month. LCHS and TFC staff will work with the pet’s owner to evaluate the animal’s status every two weeks.
  • Do participants need to provide anything for their pet/s?
    No! If participants have things they want to send with their pet, LCHS is happy to ensure those go with them. However, LCHS is committed to supplying everything needed to care for pet/s in their temporary home.
  • What does it cost to participate?
    Nothing! This program is funded through a RedRover Safe Housing grant and free for participants.
  • Who can participate in this program?
    Pet owners must be experiencing domestic violence and working with an advocate from The Friendship Center before an animal may participate in the LCHS program. You can always visit our services page to learn more and get in touch with us.
  • Can participants visit their pet/s?
    Yes! Once enrolled in the program, participants can reach out to LCHS’s Animal Services Manger to coordinate visits.
  • Who is RedRover and what do they do?
    Since its inception in 2012, RedRover’s Safe Housing grant program has focused on creating pet-friendly spaces at domestic violence (DV) organizations. These grants have grown and expanded, both in award size and in availability to animal organizations and other offsite options. Creating pet-friendly shelters is core to their DV assistance work. Increasing the number of pet-friendly domestic violence shelters is so important to RedRover that in 2019, they joined forces with Purina to create the Purple Leash Project with the goal of ensuring that 25% of DV shelters in the US are pet-friendly by 2025. As of last year, less than 20% were able to accept pets.
  • Does The Friendship Center have reporting obligations for child abuse?
    Medical providers, law enforcement, and advocates at The Friendship Center are all mandated reporters for suspected child abuse and neglect. Your safety matters to us, and we want you to be informed so you can make the best choice about what you share with providers, or with our own advocates if you’re a survivor seeking our services. Check out the resources below from Reproductive Health National Training Center that summarize mandatory child abuse reporting in Montana and other states. Mandatory child abuse reporting summary for Montana Child abuse reporting summary by state
  • What are some examples of sexual assault?
    Fondling or unwanted sexual touching Forcing anyone to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or bodily penetration Penetrating anyone’s body (anally, vaginally, or orally) without consent (using objects, hands, or genitals), also known as rape Attempted rape Pestering anyone to say yes to sexual contact or making them feel like it’s not safe to say no
  • How do I access medical help after an assault?
    It’s up to you as a survivor to decide if you want medical attention or treatment following an assault. You may feel upset and be in a lot of pain even if you don’t have any physical signs of injury. Or, you may feel okay despite having visible signs of injury. Some common physical signs of sexual assault include inner thigh bruising, arm bruising if you were restrained by the offender, and trauma to the genital area. Some physical signs like bleeding are obvious and might require medical attention. Other physical indicators like pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection may be detected days or even weeks after the assault. If you were strangled during an assault, you may experience some persistent complications that can be serious but hard to detect. Symptoms of injury following an assault may occur as long as five days or more after the incident. If you decide to seek medical attention, you can do so with your medical provider without getting a forensic exam or making a report to law enforcement. If you would like to get a forensic exam in our tri-county area (Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, and Jefferson counties), you can do so at no cost to you through the Emergency Department at St. Peter's Health in Helena. Forensic Examinations at St. Peter’s All forensic exams at St. Peter’s are conducted by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) with special training in trauma-informed care and evidence collection. Exams can be performed up to 96 hours after the assault even if you’ve showered, washed your clothing, or combed your hair. These activities can potentially impact evidence but are not prohibitive if you cannot avoid them following an assault. You can have a forensic exam and receive medical treatment at St. Peter’s without reporting to law enforcement, and any evidence collected during a forensic exam can also be saved and stored if you decide to report at a later date (see reporting options section below for more information). To learn more about The Friendship Center's work with the Forensic Nurse Program at St. Peter's to support survivors through the SANE exam process, check out this partner spotlight or visit the webpage for the Forensic Nurse Program at St. Peter's.
  • What is the difference between rape and sexual assault?
    Montana differentiates between the crimes of sexual assault and rape. Rape is a specific kind of sexual assault defined as sexual intercourse without consent (SIWOC). Rape convictions generally carry more severe sentences in Montana. Helpful Links Montana definition of sexual assault (45-5-502 MCA) Montana definition of sexual intercourse without consent (45-5-503 MCA)
  • Do I have to pay for a forensic exam if I choose to have one after an assault?
    No. Montana Department of Justice has programs that will pay healthcare providers for forensic rape examinations. The program that will cover the cost will depend on whether you choose to report to law enforcement or not, but you will not have to pay for the examination either way. If you’re in Helena, check out our medical help section above to learn about getting an exam at St. Peter’s at no cost to you. Survivors NOT Making an Immediate Report to Law Enforcement Forensic Rape Examination Payment Program (FREPP) will pay healthcare providers for your hospital visit, treatment related to the assault (such as STI treatment and pregnancy prevention), and provider fees. Healthcare staff will take care of the billing process. If you receive any additional medical treatment during your visit, such as stitches or imaging for other injuries, you will be billed for that as you would at a regular doctor’s visit. Visit Montana DOJ's FAQs on FREPP to learn more. Survivors Making a Report to Law Enforcement Crime Victims Compensation (CVC) provides funding to compensate victims who report and cooperate with law enforcement and ongoing prosecution. If approved, CVC applicants can use this program’s benefits to cover lost wages, therapy, and medical bills not covered by FREPP (like broken bones, stitches, and imaging). Secondary victims are also eligible for some CVC benefits. As with FREPP, you will not have to pay for your forensic exam and healthcare staff will take care of the billing process. In addition to financial assistance for medical costs, CVC benefits can be applied to costs for mental health services like counseling. If you do not apply for CVC or are denied (which is possible but unlikely), you will be responsible for the cost of your hospital visit. The Friendship Center can help you apply for Crime Victims Compensation and navigate an appeal process if you are denied. Helpful Links Montana Crime Victims Compensation Act info and claim form FREPP info FREPP claim form Patient/victim service locations Montana Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System
  • What is sexual assault?
    Any kind of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent is sexual assault. Consent happens when all parties willingly agree, through words or overt actions, to engage in sexual activity. Consent is a clear, direct, ongoing, and mutual agreement between partners about what they both want to experience. A current or previous sexual relationship does not determine consent. Just because someone has given consent in the past does not mean it is implied in future interactions. Consent may be withdrawn by any party at any time and that person does not need to have a reason. A person cannot give consent when they are: Coerced in any way Badgered into saying yes Feeling like they can’t say no Afraid of violence or threats of violence Feeling frozen Unable to respond In a relationship with a power imbalance (i.e., someone has power over their money, housing, job, reputation, or academic performance) Other reasons a person may be unable to consent to sexual activity include age, illness, disability, physical helplessness, or the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Consent is never implied.
  • What are my reporting options after an assault?
    It’s up to you as a survivor to decide if you want to make a report to law enforcement or not. Not everyone chooses to report—there are valid reasons for that, and you may decide it’s not the best or safest option for you. Delayed reporting is also an option that gives you a chance to weigh the pros and cons of reporting based on your situation. If you’re not sure whether you want to make a report, you have time to make that decision, and The Friendship Center is here to help with free, confidential services for survivors that are available 24/7. Our advocates can help at any point to talk through options, offer support, and assist you in working with law enforcement if you choose to report an assault. Reporting an Assault You can report sexual assault to law enforcement by calling: 911 for emergencies Helena Police (non-emergency) 406.442.3233 Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office (outside of Helena city limits) 406.447.8293 East Helena Police Department 406.227.8686 Broadwater County Sheriff's Department 406.266.3441 Jefferson County Sheriff's Department 406.225.4075 Prosecution Reporting a sexual assault to the police does not mean you have to move forward with criminal prosecution. The case will only be criminally charged if there is probable cause to charge AND you wish to move forward with criminal prosecution. If making a delayed report feels like a good option for you and you were 18 or older at the time of an assault in Montana, there is a timeline of 10 years to proceed with criminal prosecution. There is no time limit to proceed with a criminal prosecution for victims who were under 18 years old at the time of the offense.
  • What are some possible responses to sexual assault?
    Survivor responses may vary broadly after experiencing a sexual assault. Common reactions include, but are not limited to: Shock or disbelief Shame and embarrassment A sense of responsibility for the assault Fear of being blamed or not believed by others Feeling overwhelmed Vulnerability Anger, irritability, anxiety Changes in sleeping and eating Nightmares and flashbacks Memory loss or disassociation Self-doubt
  • Who perpetrates sexual assault?
    Sexual assaults can be perpetrated by anyone and are most often committed by people a survivor knows—friends, acquaintances, family members, employers, and intimate partners. While less common, sexual assaults can also be committed by strangers.
  • Is sexual assault illegal?
    Yes. The exact definitions of sexual assault can vary based on the laws where you live, but sexual assault is a crime at the federal level and in every state in the U.S. Helpful links Sexual violence laws in Montana Sexual violence laws by state
  • How do I add a new question & answer?
    To add a new FAQ follow these steps: 1. Manage FAQs from your site dashboard or in the Editor 2. Add a new question & answer 3. Assign your FAQ to a category 4. Save and publish. You can always come back and edit your FAQs.
  • How do I edit or remove the 'Frequently Asked Questions' title?
    You can edit the title from the FAQ 'Settings' tab in the Editor. To remove the title from your mobile app go to the 'Site & App' tab in your Owner's app and customize.
  • Can I insert an image, video, or GIF in my FAQ?
    Yes. To add media follow these steps: 1. Manage FAQs from your site dashboard or in the Editor 2. Create a new FAQ or edit an existing one 3. From the answer text box click on the video, image or GIF icon 4. Add media from your library and save.

Resources & Links

bottom of page