This past June, our RedRover Responders volunteers joined Greater Good Charities to support South Valley Services, a Utah-based domestic violence emergency shelter, in expanding their pet-inclusive services for survivors. South Valley Services provides safe shelter and ongoing supportive services to women, men, and their children who have been impacted by domestic and sexual violence. Their services include free clinical therapy for survivors, in-person and virtual support groups, a Children’s Learning Center, and more. They also offer evidence-based programs that provide education and build awareness about domestic violence for Utah residents through their Prevention and Education Department.
The renovation project for South Valley Services focused on the construction of three “pet retreats,” each with an accompanying pet relief area and access to a separate play yard. This type of structure is designed to house a survivor’s pet(s) while the survivor lives in the main shelter. Pet retreats fall under the “onsite” pet housing program category because the retreats are located on the same property as the human services shelter.
Domestic violence shelters and homeless shelters may choose pet retreats for a variety of reasons. They can be used as a backup housing option if in-room housing is full, unavailable, or not appropriate for a particular pet. We love that this option allows survivors to care for and spend time with their pets, strengthening the human-animal bond and helping them heal together.
Pet retreats can vary, but most—including the ones built as part of this project—are similar to a one-room tiny home or a renovated shed. Each retreat contains multiple windows for natural light and enrichment, a cozy couch, plenty of pet bedding and toys, and even a television. They provide ample space for pets to play and rest safely and comfortably, while also giving their humans room to join them for quality time.
Led by Greater Good Charities’ construction team, our volunteers teamed up to complete a variety of tasks. They worked tirelessly to assemble chain-link fencing for the pet retreats’ attached relief areas and the additional play yard. This included manually digging holes for fence posts, measuring and cutting chain-link fabric, and securing the fencing with wire ties.
Pictured: RedRover volunteers assemble chain link fencing.
Other volunteer tasks included renovating the interiors of the pet retreats by painting the walls in bright, cheerful colors, installing fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) panels to make cleaning a breeze, and assembling kitty litter hiders and cabinets to keep everything tidy and organized.
To learn more about the pet retreat housing style, download the free Don’t Forget the Pets Training Handbook or check out our Housing People and Pets in Crisis online course.
Pictured: RedRover Outreach Manager, Ketia Johnson, leads volunteers through construction.
One of my favorite parts of deploying with Greater Good Charities is how much I learn about basic construction and renovation. Volunteers do not need any prior background or experience in this field, as the GGC team is excellent at teaching and mentoring volunteers. In fact, volunteers often leave with newfound skills and techniques they can apply to their own DIY projects at home.
Despite being surrounded by a beautiful mountainous landscape, Utah presented a few challenges, from extremely high temperatures to smoky air from a nearby wildfire. Water, more water, electrolytes, plenty of rest breaks in the shade, and evening ice cream were essential.
Working outside was far from easy, but the RedRover Responders volunteers continued to help with a shared sense of positivity and appreciation for the opportunity to serve.
While volunteering is hard work—physically demanding and mentally exhausting—it’s also incredibly fulfilling and meaningful. You learn new skills, meet new friends, and may even find some stress relief.
Most importantly, this work saves lives. Half of domestic violence survivors report that they would not consider seeking shelter if they could not take their pets with them, putting their lives at continued risk. South Valley Services’ new pet retreats will help ensure that Utah survivors with pets have a safe and loving place to turn.
Thank you to South Valley Services, Greater Good Charities’ construction team, and the amazing RedRover Responders volunteers for making this project possible!
To learn more about RedRover Responders and volunteer on future projects like this, visit RedRover.org/Responders.
Featured image: Peg Keyser stands next to a horse at the Main State Society for the Protection of Animals. (MSSPA)
Ketia Johnson is the Outreach Manager for RedRover. Prior to joining the Don’t Forget the Pets team, she earned her Master’s degree in Anthrozoology from Canisius College and spent over 8 years working in veterinary medicine at animal shelters.
