Sacramento, CA (January 18, 2022) – RedRover, a national animal welfare nonprofit, is excited to announce a new partnership with the Adtalem Global Education Foundation in an effort to increase pet and human wellbeing. As part of this partnership, the Adtalem Global Education Foundation has granted $91,380 to expand RedRover’s domestic violence awareness efforts by conducting outreach and national training programs to the veterinary community, including alumni from Adtalem’s veterinary school, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Given the prevalence of domestic violence and research showing the connection between human and animal violence (“The Link”), it is likely veterinary professionals interact with domestic violence survivors and their pets within their practice. One in three women and one in four men experience domestic violence in their lifetimes; up to 48% of women report delaying leaving their abuser because of fear of what their abusers will do to their pets if they leave. Additionally, 71% of women entering domestic violence shelters report a pet in their home was threatened, abused or killed.
This funding will help support RedRover and their partner, Greater Good Charities, in their collaborative project “Don’t Forget the Pets,” which focuses on helping domestic violence shelters create pet housing programs. The Adtalem Global Education Foundation’s support will enhance the project’s efforts by focusing on raising awareness of “The Link” for veterinary professionals. Staff will learn how to identify and respond when encountering domestic violence cases in their clinics, as well as support efforts in their communities.
RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth said, “We are thrilled this Adtalem Foundation grant will allow us to reach more veterinary professionals. Through the Don’t Forget the Pets website, workshops, and forum, we’ll help veterinary staff better understand the issue and their role in how they can support people and pets in crisis within their communities.”
As part of this partnership, the grant will also support a pilot training program available to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine alumni. The program will then be expanded to provide training opportunities to a broader veterinary network.
“At Adtalem and across our institutions, including Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, we are committed to making a lasting impact on the communities in which we live and serve,” said Sean Callanan, MVB, CertVR, MRCVS, PhD, FRCPath, DiplECVP, dean of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (Ross Vet). “Awareness is the first step in providing solutions to pressing issues that impact the health of our global communities, and education and training are foundational to change. At Ross Vet, we put the One Health ideology into practice through our curriculum, research, and in the St. Kitts community we call home. We believe in the interconnection between humans, animals, and our shared global ecosystem and are thrilled to partner with RedRover on this critical endeavor.”
Bryna Donnelly, Greater Good Charities Vice President of Pet Programs said, “Veterinarians can play such a critical role in helping people and pets in crisis. We hope this training opportunity gives them the tools to more fully help their communities. We welcome folks to visit Dontforgetthepets.org to learn more.”
