Cincinnati’s first pet-friendly domestic violence shelter is set to open soon in Avondale through the combined efforts of the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, RedRover, Greater Good Charities and Purina’s Purple Leash Project.
The Francie Garber Pepper House of Healing, or “Francie’s House,” is a new YWCA domestic violence shelter in Avondale. The apartment-style shelter officially opened its doors in May, but full renovations are projected to be completed by this weekend. By the time the renovations are complete, the shelter will include six pet-friendly suites equipped with animal-care items such as crates, enrichment toys, litter hiders and washable rugs. Behind the building there will be two enclosed pet relief and play areas.
“Our specific project is creating safe outdoor spaces where folks can be safe, they can be out of the public eye and get some fresh air with their pets,” said Katie Campbell, the president and CEO of RedRover, a national animal welfare nonprofit and Purina’s partner in the Purple Leash Project.
The new shelter will allow pet owners to continue to live with their pets after leaving an abusive household, a rare opportunity in many shelters.
Ever since planning for Francie’s House first began about four years ago, YWCA has known it wanted this shelter to be pet-friendly, according to a YWCA representative. To make their idea a reality, they partnered with Purina’s Purple Leash Project, an initiative that seeks to create more pet-friendly domestic violence shelters in the U.S.
“Only 19% of domestic violence shelters in the United States accept pets, so it really is a unique thing that a shelter can have, but it’s so needed,” said Gabbie Vilanova, the senior program manager for shelter renovation efforts at Greater Good Charities, an organization that provides general humanitarian aid.
RedRover and Greater Good Charities helped run a free joint coaching program at YWCA and created the pet-friendly designs and procedures at Francie’s House. Through the Purple Leash Project, RedRover and Purina helped provide approximately $100,000 in funding for the renovations, alongside the training and on-site construction help. Teams from all of these organizations helped to roll out chain link fences during the last stages of the renovation.
Francie’s House holds an important role in the Greater Cincinnati region, Campbell said, since many people in abusive situations feel they can’t leave their pet behind.
“We know roughly half of domestic violence survivors delay leaving — we know that taking their pet with them factors into their decision to leave their abuser because of the human-animal bond,” Campbell explained. “At the core of it all, it’s just understanding that that’s her family.”
In addition to the housing, outdoor area and enrichment, animals at this domestic violence shelter will be eligible for discounted vet care at Pets In Need of Greater Cincinnati, a nonprofit veterinary clinic serving people at and below the federal poverty level.
“Anyone coming from the YWCA shelter will be prequalified and eligible for our services,” said Debra Savage, the CFO of Pets In Need.
Pets in Need will only charge the minimum fee of $45 for the first visit and potentially help fund the visit with grants if further aid is needed, Savage said. She hopes to eventually be able to partner with the YWCA to provide pet care on a monthly basis.
“I think what’s so special about us having this pet play area is that it’s the first in our region for domestic violence,” said Cassie Brown, the development director at the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati. “YWCA has been the first of many things historically […] I think that’s just something our agency has done — we’ve been trailblazers.”
If you are in need of domestic violence assistance in the Greater Cincinnati area, call the YWCA’s 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline at 513-872-9259.
This article appears in Jul 9-22, 2025.