Lucy Hale Is Helping Domestic Abuse Survivors — and Their Pets — Find Refuge

From Woman's Day

Lucy Hale is a dog person. The actress and singer is often photographed walking her 4-year-old Maltipoo, Elvis, around town and on set. Her Instagram bio consists of only two words: Elvis' mama. "I know it sounds ridiculous, but he's my soulmate," Hale tells Woman's Day. "He's my best friend; I truly don't know what I would do without him." And it's the love Hale has for her fur-baby that propelled her to partner with Purina and get involved with the Purple Leash Project, an organization that works to make domestic abuse shelters pet-friendly and more welcoming to pet owners in need of refuge.

Domestic abuse and intimate partner violence are major issues in the United States. On average, around 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner per minute in the U.S., according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. One in three women and one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. And on any given day, more than 20,000 phone calls are made to domestic violence hotlines nationwide. "I feel like a lot of people don't realize these statistics," Hale says. "We probably know many people in our lives that go through this."

One factor in whether or not a victim of domestic abuse will leave the relationship is if they're allowed to bring their pet with them. Only 10 percent of domestic abuse shelters across the nation accept pets, according to the Purple Leash Project, and 48 percent of people will stay in an abusive situation or household because of their pets. "That struck a chord with me because I'm obsessed with my dog, and I know that I couldn't ever be separated from him," Hale says.

To combat this horrifying reality, the Purple Leash Project is working to increase the number of domestic abuse shelters that accept pets. The organization's immediate goal is to have a pet-friendly shelter in every state — they are currently only four states away, with Hawaii, Rhode Island, West Virginia and New Hampshire. And they're working to ensure that by 2025, 25 percent of domestic abuse shelters will be pet-friendly. To meet these goals, the organization will provide grants to domestic violence shelters to help with a number of necessary projects, ranging from remodeling facilities and recruiting volunteers to help with the transformation to ensuring both pets and owners have everything they need during their stay. "I think the more people know about this and the more they talk about it, there can be a drastic change," Hale says. "People shouldn't have to make that decision between staying in an abusive household and leaving their pet behind."

If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the domestic violence hotline 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE).

Want more Woman’s Day? Subscribe to Woman's Day today and get 73% off your first 12 issues. And while you’re at it, sign up for our FREE newsletter for even more of the Woman's Day content you want.

You Might Also Like

• 60+ Easy and Satisfying Avocado Recipes You Need to Try ASAP

• "I Used To Love Getting Naked — And Then I Got Pregnant"

• 45 Inspirational Books All Women Should Read in Their Lifetime