In August 2025, more than a year of planning and hard work finally came to life in Brown County, South Dakota.
This journey began with Safe Harbor, a domestic violence services organization that supports seven counties—Brown, Campbell, Day, Edmunds, Marshall, McPherson, and Potter—in northeastern South Dakota. Their mission is to empower individuals in abusive situations through advocacy and support, while also educating the community to take an active role in ending abuse. Their wide range of services includes protection orders, court accompaniment, safety planning, support groups, and emergency shelter. Now, thanks to a new expansion, their shelter also includes pet apartments, making it possible for survivors to escape dangerous situations without having to leave their pets behind.
The idea took root in May 2023, when Safe Harbor’s Executive Director, Gina Karst, applied to the Don’t Forget the Pets Coaching Program with hopes of starting the first pet program in her state.
Pictured: staff dog Cooper, explores a newly constructed pet retreat
At the time, the shelter had only a small grassy area beside its emergency facility—but big dreams for what it could become. Gina knew just how critical pet-friendly services would be for the people they serve:
“We have constantly run into the issue of not having space at the humane society or not being able to find a foster family to take in a pet, so then the people we are working with don’t want to leave… We needed to come up with a solution to help the pets that the people we’re working with love so dearly.”
After attending a Don’t Forget the Pets workshop and working with our coaching team, Safe Harbor committed to building a Pet Retreat Model. As the first on-site pet program in South Dakota, there was no blueprint to follow—only a vision and determination. With the available space and a lot of collaboration, our team designed a two-room pet retreat, with the possibility of expanding in the future if demand grows.
When our team arrived in South Dakota, we spent two intensive weeks transforming the vision into reality. Renovations included framing, drywall, painting, FRP installation, and the addition of pet-friendly furniture, enrichment items, and décor. Each retreat was fitted with its own small outdoor relief area, accessible through a dog door. We also added a play yard so families would have another safe, open space to spend time with their pets. To complement the project, we incorporated environmentally friendly touches, including birdhouses and a pollinator garden.
In memory of a beloved pet who touched the hearts of Safe Harbor’s staff, the new retreat was named “Stella’s Place.” True to its name, Stella’s Place is designed to be warm, welcoming, and healing—a safe haven for both survivors and their pets.
Pictured: “Stella’s Place” commemorative plaque
The Pet Retreat Model blends a private living space for pets with a bonding space for their families, creating a home-like environment that allows for comfort, choice, and freedom of movement. For shelters unable to offer in-room housing, this is the next best model, as it gives pets a sense of normalcy during stressful times. For other shelters considering the leap, Gina Karst’s advice is simple:
“I say do it—just get the ball rolling. Reach out to Greater Good Charities, start asking questions and talking to people, because I think it will make a huge impact. It’d be huge for anybody and a great opportunity, even for the victims. It’s a great opportunity for them.”
Our Don’t Forget the Pets team is here to guide shelters through every step of the process—from the very first questions to bringing the final vision to life.
Stella’s Place will officially welcome its first pet later this year.
Sabrina started working with Rescue Rebuild in November of 2023. She always knew she wanted to work with animals and pursued her passion through many avenues. She started working on DFTP projects in 2024 and is excited to be on the Don't Forget The Pets team.
