As we lay the foundation for House of Hope Shelter, we’re thrilled to kick off our first fundraising campaign with four donation tiers — thoughtfully created to make supporting our mission accessible for everyone. At the Helping Hands level, donors can even customize their contribution to match their giving goals. We deeply value the generosity of our friends and neighbors in Douglas County as we work together to build a safe haven for animals and their people.
Join Us in the First 90 Days!
Why “Hope”?
Hope was just 8 weeks old when she came into our lives — fragile, scared, and clinging to survival. She arrived at a veterinary clinic with a broken front leg that had gone untreated for over a week, a stomach full of food wrappers, and a serious congenital heart defect. She was malnourished, filthy, and the product of inbreeding, likely born into an environment of neglect and abuse.
Despite everything, Hope never gave up. With the help of compassionate veterinarians, specialists, and an outpouring of community support, she overcame the odds. Her damaged leg was amputated to free her from pain, and although her heart condition made treatments difficult, her quality of life began to blossom. We gave her a name that reflected her spirit — Hope — and she gave us a mission.
The Mission of House of Hope
Founded in Hope’s honor, House of Hope Shelter is dedicated to offering compassionate care and safe refuge to animals in need. But our mission goes even deeper: we are committed to being a lifeline for the beloved pets of individuals and families fleeing domestic violence.
Too often, victims delay leaving an abusive situation out of fear for what will happen to their pets. House of Hope ensures that no one has to choose between their safety and their animal’s well-being. We provide temporary, loving care for these animals while their owners find security and healing — keeping families, both human and animal, together in spirit.
Hope’s story is just the beginning. With your help, we can offer protection, healing, and hope to countless animals and the people who love them.
Join us — and be a part of giving hope.
Why This Matters…
Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse: A Critical Overlap
89% of women who had companion animals during an abusive relationship reported their animals were threatened, harmed, or killed by their abuser.
(National Domestic Violence Hotline & Urban Resource Institute, 2021)50% of domestic violence survivors say they would not leave their abuser if they couldn’t bring their pets.
(Sheltering Animals and Families Together - SAFeR Research 2020)Only about 17% of domestic violence shelters in the U.S. allow pets.
(RedRover & Urban Resource Institute, 2021)In households with domestic violence, animal abuse is present in 88% of cases, often as part of the coercive control cycle.
(National Link Coalition, 2023)Pet abuse is one of the four key indicators of intimate partner violence and is often used as a way to exert control, cause emotional distress, or prevent the victim from leaving.
(National Link Coalition, 2020)
Gaps in Services
Less than 10% of animal shelters coordinate with domestic violence shelters to offer emergency foster placement.
(ASPCA 2022 Housing Partnership Report)Fewer than 5% of shelters accommodate farm animals, reptiles, or exotics, which are often among the most difficult to place during emergencies.
Rural areas face a severe shortage of trauma-informed animal boarding or pet-safe advocacy services, creating disproportionate barriers for survivors in those regions.
(National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2020)
Pets as a Barrier to Safety
Nearly 1 in 4 survivors of domestic violence have delayed leaving their abuser out of fear for their pets' safety.
(National Domestic Violence Hotline, 2021)Fewer than 1 in 5 shelters in the U.S. offer on-site pet housing, leaving most survivors with no safe option for their animals.
(SAF-T Program Annual Report, 2022)In a RedRover survey, 78% of domestic violence shelters without pet programs said they would implement one if they had the funding.
Get Involved
Whether you want to foster or volunteer, the first step is to schedule an appointment!
Who
we are
House of Hope is a nonprofit organization in the process of establishing 501(c)(3) status with the goal of providing emergency shelter, care, and long-term support for animals impacted by domestic violence, abuse, and neglect. Our immediate priorities are to build a reliable network of foster homes, secure funding for facility development, and offer safe, temporary placement for pets whose owners are fleeing violence. We aim to provide trauma-informed care for dogs, cats, birds, pocket pets, reptiles, and farm animals—ensuring no one has to leave a beloved animal behind. We are actively seeking compassionate fosters, foundational donors, and grant support to bring this vision to life and provide life-saving services for both animals and their families.
