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Helping Survivors & Their Pets Find Safety Together
At Praline’s Backyard Foundation, we believe that no survivor should have to choose between their safety and their pet’s well-being. More than 65% of domestic violence survivors delay leaving abusive situations due to lack of safe options for their pets. That’s why we’re here—to provide a safe refuge for pets, so survivors can escape to safety without hesitation.
Your Support Makes Safety Possible
Through our nationwide network of boarding facilities and foster homes, we provide free, temporary care for the beloved pets of survivors. Together, we’re building a bridge to safety for families and pets alike.
Join Us—Stand with Survivors and Their Pets
Whether as a foster, supporter, or partner, your involvement can be life-changing. Join us in making sure every survivor and pet has a safe place to turn.
Praline’s Backyard Foundation was founded in 2021 by Orazie Cook, who witnessed firsthand the overwhelming need for pet-safe options while volunteering at a domestic violence shelter. Many survivors face an impossible choice between their safety and their pets’ well-being, as most shelters cannot accommodate animals. Seeing this gap, Orazie set out to create a solution.
What started with helping a few pets each month has rapidly grown. Today, we receive over 50 requests monthly for pet housing assistance. At any moment, we support approximately 5 pets in boarding and 45 more with dedicated fosters. Thanks to our partnership with Doobert.com, our volunteer network now spans over 30,000 people across all 50 states.
Our mission remains clear: to give survivors the confidence to leave knowing every family member—including their beloved pets—will have a safe, compassionate place to go.
We cannot do this work alone. From donations, volunteers, boarding facilities and foster homes, everyone is a crucial part of our mission. If you’re a pet boarding facility or pet foster that would like to help by providing temporary for the care and housing for the pets of domestic violence survivors in your community, we encourage you complete our Foster Contact Form. Together, we can make a difference and support those who have experienced domestic violence. If you can’t volunteer or donate, you can help by sharing our cause on social media.
EIN – 92-0280488
President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Praline’s Backyard Foundation and Owner of Praline’s Backyard Doggie Daycare and Boarding cage-free enrichment doggie daycare facility. A lifelong cocker spaniel lover and currently parenting Praline Pecan.
Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Praline’s Backyard Foundation. A licensed psychotherapist. He has volunteered at local dog shelters providing counseling to staff and supporting the placement of foster dogs. He is the proud pet parent to Lulu, a beautiful English bulldog.
Chief of Staff to Praline’s Backyard Foundation and administrative support to all legal needs
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Praline’s Backyard Foundation with over 25 years of teaching and managing school operations from high school to college. Recently an empty nester, her kids took her golden doodles when they left for college.
