(BPT) - The physical and emotional benefits of having a pet are well documented, yet for those facing trauma and abuse, making the decision to escape abuse is more complicated when a pet is involved. For many survivors, seeking safety for themselves may mean deciding whether to leave their pet behind with an abuser because there is simply no safe place to go together.

Sadly, it is a decision that many survivors of domestic violence must make.

As many as one in three women and one in four men experience domestic abuse in their lifetimes. Because few domestic violence shelters accept pets, 48% of survivors delay leaving their homes because they can't take their pets with them, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. And 71% of survivors entering domestic violence shelters report that an abuser had threatened, injured or killed family pets.

Purina's vision is to have a world where no one is trapped in abuse because they can't take their whole family with them, including pets. Pets can be critical to the healing and well-being of survivors. That's why Purina has partnered with RedRover to create the Purple Leash Project. The goal is to help ensure that 25% of U.S. domestic violence shelters are pet friendly by the end of 2025 so that survivors and their pets can escape together and heal together.

Purina is helping to create more pet-friendly domestic violence shelters by providing grants and resources to shelters across the country. Since 2019, Purina has provided 53 grants totaling $1.6 million as part of the Purple Leash Project, helping to move the number of shelters who accept pets from only 3% a decade ago to 19% today. And the momentum continues to build.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October is a reminder there are many opportunities to get involved and help survivors. Purple Thursday is a national day of action that takes place on Oct. 17 this year. Here are some ways you can participate and show your support for survivors of domestic abuse:

• Wear purple
• Donate wish list items to local domestic violence shelters
• Light your home or business with purple lights
• Donate to RedRover in support of the Purple Leash Project

Throughout October, Purina will help its factories and sales offices across the U.S. create activations in their own communities to help broaden the Purple Leash Project's impact. Besides raising funds and awareness, Purina associates also volunteer their time and have helped renovate domestic violence shelters to accommodate pets.

The Purple Leash Project has the potential to change society and challenge the way that pets and domestic abuse survivors are treated when they need each other most.

Visit PurpleLeashProject.com for more ways to get involved, stay informed or to donate to RedRover to support this important work.