Every gate tells a story. At Bramwell House, a refuge managed by The Salvation Army for women fleeing domestic violence, new gates represent far more than added security — they symbolise safety, dignity, and the right to stay together with those we love most, including our pets. For women leaving violence, the decision to flee is never simple — especially when a beloved pet is involved.
Too often, victims delay leaving a dangerous situation because they have no safe place for their animals. But at Bramwell House, that’s changing. The Salvation Army is committed to evolving their policies to include pets in their domestic violence refuges, starting here. Bramwell House now have 8 pet friendly units available for families fleeing domestic violence where everyone can be safe.
We were proud to donate $3,000 towards funding 2 new pet-safe gates at Bramwell House to create a secure and safe place for pets. This vital upgrade is part of a powerful partnership with Safe Pets Safe Families, a rescue partner dedicated to keeping families and pets together during times of crisis.
Thanks to the incredible advocacy and effort from Safe Pets, Safe Families, this vital upgrade might have not been possible. These self-contained gated units are now able to accommodate women and their dogs, this project helps preserve the human-animal bond — a bond that offers comfort, protection, and a sense of normalcy during trauma.
Each year, these pet-friendly units will provide sanctuary for about eight dogs (or more, depending on stays and family needs). And behind each of those dogs is a person — a mother, a child, a survivor — reclaiming safety and stability without leaving a family member behind.
Our support not only helped fund the physical infrastructure, but it sends a powerful message: pets are family, and every family deserves to stay together, even in the hardest of times.
As Safe Pets Safe Families continues working with the Salvation Army to expand pet-inclusive housing and update refuge policies, initiatives like this one at Bramwell House are paving the way forward. This is what meaningful change looks like — one gate, one pet, one family at a time.
