ORLANDO, Fla. – For countless survivors of domestic violence, the decision to leave an abusive partner is fraught with difficult choices, not least of which may involve leaving behind loved ones. And for many, those loved ones include pets.

In the tangled dynamics of abusive relationships, pets frequently become tools of control. Abusers often threaten or harm animals to manipulate their victims, effectively using the threat to keep survivors from fleeing. This manipulation instills a deep fear in victims, who worry about what might happen to their cherished pets if they attempt to escape.

This is where the importance of pet-friendly shelters cannot be understated. Despite their critical role, only about 17 percent of domestic violence shelters across the United States are equipped to accommodate both survivors and their pets. Harbor House of Central Florida stands out as a sanctuary for both thanks to its dedicated Paws for Peace Kennel.

However, the existence of such programs hinges on substantial support, a gap that nonprofits like Protecting Paws for Life strive to fill. “Protecting Paws for Life was created to assist domestic violence shelters in becoming or remaining pet-friendly,” explained founder Andria Gibbon. “We aim to support organizations either looking to welcome pets or those that already do, by providing them with essential services.”

The financial burden is one of the primary hurdles for shelters aiming to offer such inclusive services. The costs associated with building and maintaining kennel facilities, as well as providing food and medical care, can be significant and daunting.

One of the biggest challenges shelters face is cost. From building and maintaining kennel space to providing food and medical care, expenses can add up quickly.

“Budget is a big thing,” Gibbon said. “We provide all the pet supplies they could need on a monthly basis, and we also help with basic wellness care, like vaccines, because that can be another cost.”

The nonprofit operates entirely on private donations, organizing regular drives and storing supplies in a dedicated unit to distribute to shelters in need.

For Gibbon, the mission is deeply personal. Coming from the animal rescue world, she said one of the hardest things to witness is when owners are forced to surrender their pets, not by choice, but by circumstance.

“You can feel the pain in the owner, and you see it in the pet,” she said. “It’s not someone giving up their dog because they don’t want it. It’s truly painful. My mission has always been to help keep families together.”

That support goes beyond supplies. Gibbon, a certified dog trainer, and her team also work directly with survivors and their pets, helping them navigate behavioral challenges that can stem from trauma.

“Dogs react to trauma very similarly to children,” she explained. “People may think it’s just obedience issues, but really, they’re processing what they’ve been through.”

That trauma can come from witnessing violence, experiencing abuse themselves, or simply living in a high-stress environment. Understanding that, Gibbon said, is key to helping both pets and their owners heal.

For her, the most rewarding part of the work is connecting directly with survivors.

“They’re so focused on just getting through each day,” she said. “Being able to support them and help them care for their animals, it just fills my heart completely.”

Through partnerships like the one with Harbor House, organizations like Protecting Paws for Life are helping remove one more barrier to safety, ensuring survivors don’t have to choose between their own well-being and the animals they love.;