dog — A grant to help pets in tough situations. Photo via Shelby Humane’s Facebook

Looks like Governor Kay Ivey is looking out for our beloved pets just as much as we are. She awarded a $52,000 grant to help pets whose owners are in domestic violence situations. Keep reading to learn more.

The grant that has tails wagging away

Cat — Sleepy kitty at Gatos & Beans. Photo by Beth Cunningham for Bham Now

The recent $52,000 in grant funds was awarded to the Humane Society of Shelby County Inc. who implemented the Shelby PetSafe program.

Developed in 2018, the Shelby PetSafe program aims to protect animals who are in households with unhealthy or violent situations such as domestic abuse. When victims of domestic violence leave their unsafe situations to safe shelters, this grant will aid in making sure those pets have somewhere to go. The grant will enable the program to reach beyond Shelby County and into St. Clair as well as Jefferson County.

As a dog owner herself, Governor Kay Ivey shares her full support for the grant and program it supports.

“Pets are a very important part of a family, but they’re often forgotten when family members have to escape a violent situation at home. The Humane Society of Shelby County has worked diligently to ensure that pets receive proper care while their owners are staying in a domestic violence shelter. I am pleased to support this program.”
Governor Kay Ivey

The $52,000 grant, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), is coming from funds that have been provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.

How to support domestic violence survivors in Birmingham

Domestic violence is all too common yet often goes unseen. To help those who need support or would like to generate awareness, there are several organizations in Birmingham that are here to help like:

To learn more about these local organizations, check out our detailed guide and local nonprofit directory to get info on over 140 organizations with a wide array of missions.