The SAF-T Program® was created so that survivors of domestic violence could be sheltered with their pets. When domestic violence shelters open their doors to companion animals, this reduces a barrier to safety while maintaining the human-animal bond.
While the SAF-T Start-Up Manual outlines 4 housing options that are flexible to work with most domestic violence shelters, we recognize that some agencies do not offer sheltering services. And with uncertainty in federal and private funding for domestic violence agencies, there needs to be additional options for agencies to support survivors with pets.
There are strengths and weaknesses to consider before housing pets of domestic violence in offsite locations. We offer these Guidelines as a supplement to onsite pet housing, as another option for shelters that are unable or unwilling to co-house people and pets, or in situations where a pet requires offsite housing.