About Us
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About the Foundation
Our Mission: Keeping Pets & Survivors Together
At Praline's Backyard Foundation, our core mission is simple: **no survivor should have to choose between their safety and the well-being of their pet.** We provide safe, temporary housing for pets of domestic violence survivors, ensuring they can escape abuse without fear of leaving their beloved animals behind.
Through our nationwide network of boarding facilities, foster homes, and veterinary partners, we provide free, temporary care for pets while their owners transition to safety.
How We Help: Our Core Programs
Emergency Pet Foster & Boarding
Providing safe, temporary care for pets while their owners transition to safety. This includes medical care, food, and enrichment.
Support for Survivors
Connecting individuals with pet-friendly resources and assistance necessary to secure permanent housing and stability.
Awareness & Advocacy
Promoting pet-inclusive domestic violence shelters and policies across the country to ensure comprehensive survivor support.
Our Annual Event: Bark & Bond Festival & 3K
Each year, we host a dog-friendly festival and walk/run that raises awareness and funds to support survivors and their pets. Join us for Bark & Bond Festival 2025!
Join Us at the Next Event
Meet Our Founder: Oraize Cook
Oraize's career has been built on passion, learning, and making a difference. After working in public health and volunteering at a domestic violence shelter, she realized the critical gap in support: survivors were being forced to choose between their safety and their pets' safety.
This deep commitment led Oraize to found Praline's Backyard Foundation, named in honor of her beloved Cocker Spaniel. Today, as President and CEO, she uses her expertise in public health and her passion for animal welfare to lead the organization, ensuring no pet is left behind.