he statistics are staggering. Ten million people experience domestic violence each year in this country, and these are just the documented cases. The actual number is likely much, much higher,” says Orazie Cook, DrPH, MPH, MIAD.

For more than 20 years, Orazie has worked for hotlines and volunteered at domestic violence shelters and humane societies, and she has seen firsthand the obstacles that these survivors face. Time and time again, Orazie found that domestic violence survivors (of which the vast majority are women) found it difficult to leave an unhealthy living situation when the welfare of their pets was involved.

It’s been reported that as many as 48% of survivors delay leaving a dangerous situation out of concern for their pet’s safety. And Orazie has seen some make the heartbreaking decision to relinquish their pets to a local shelter rather than leave them with an abuser, but didn’t have the resources to make a change. However, when Orazie founded Praline’s Backyard Foundation, named after her own dog, Praline Pecan, her unique approach to this problem began changing lives all across our nation.

Praline’s Backyard Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit, was created to provide temporary free boarding or foster care for the pets of domestic violence survivors during times of crisis.

“Our work revolves around breaking the cycle of violence by offering survivors a safe haven for their beloved companions while they seek safety and healing as they transition to safe housing,” says Orazie. “We believe that pets play a crucial role in the healing process for survivors; offering comfort, companionship, and unconditional love during a difficult time.

“We firmly believe that no one should have to choose between their own well-being and that of their pets,” she continues. “I don’t want any survivor to return to an abuser over concern for the safety of their pet.”

The need for temporary pet housing and care is great. Less than 30% of domestic violence shelters are pet friendly. Now, Praline’s Backyard Foundation helps fill that enormous need. When a survivor wants to leave an abuser and they know they have somewhere to place their pet temporarily, it allows them to go forward with that life-changing decision.

Praline’s Backyard Foundation is listed with the National Domestic Violence Hotline and a number of other organizations throughout the country. Every domestic violence shelter in the U.S. has received a letter from Orazie explaining what Praline’s Backyard Foundation does, the services they provide, their contact information and how they support survivors.

“We don’t do this alone,” says Orazie. “Our approach is unique, with far-reaching results. Instead of building a brick-and-mortar facility which could only help people in a limited area, we collaborate with a vast network of existing pet boarding facilities and individual pet fosters across the nation to give immediate support to domestic violence survivors. It’s an ideal partnership because these facilities already exist and care for the animals.

“The housing for pets provided through our foundation is free to the survivor,” she continues. “Our partnering pet boarding facilities often offer us discounted or complimentary services. This generosity enables us to allocate funds to assist survivors in areas where affordable pet boarding isn’t available. By opening their hearts, homes, and businesses to temporarily house pets of domestic violence survivors, our partners become beacons of hope and healing. Together, we ensure that no pet is left behind during the crucial moments of crisis and transition.”

The foundation has recently partnered with Doobert (www.doobert.com) which supports humane societies and other non-profits and groups that provide temporary housing for pets. Doobert also has an extensive network of fosters and pet care facilities which assists Praline’s Backyard Foundation in matching pets in need of shelter.

There is a form on the Praline’s Backyard Foundation website, www.pralinesbackyardfoundation.org, for survivors to fill out if they need help in getting temporary housing for their pet. As soon as they submit it, it goes into the Doobert system and alerts Orazie. It automatically generates a list of facilities and fosters in the survivor’s area that Orazie can contact to see if they have space available to house the pet.

Finding immediate housing and care for these pets is a critical part of helping the survivors and is making a huge difference in the epidemic of domestic violence. The process is becoming more streamlined as the foundation expands their network and partners with other organizations that are supportive of fostering and housing animals of survivors.

“When you partner with Praline’s Backyard Foundation, you’re not just providing shelter and care for a pet in need, you are also helping to support a survivor as they recover and get their life back on track,” Orazie shares.

“We are not just an organization, we are a movement,” she continues. “A movement that envisions a world where survivors are empowered, pets are protected, and no one has to make an impossible choice. Join us on this journey, and together, we’ll create lasting change—one domestic violence survivor and one pet at a time.”