Praline’s Backyard Foundation

At Praline’s Backyard Foundation, we’re on a mission to stand by the side of domestic violence survivors and help them escape abuse. We understand the unique challenges survivors face, and we’re here to ensure that their furry family members have a safe and loving refuge during times of transition.

More than 65% of domestic violence survivors say that one of the things that delayed them leaving a relationship was due to not having a safe solution for their pet.

That is where we come in.

Praline’s Backyard Foundation provides free pet boarding for people fleeing domestic violence so that they can seek safety for the whole family. Through our growing network of boarding facilities and foster homes across the country, we are able to help provide a temporary safe haven for pets during the transition into a new life for the whole family.

We believe in the power of community and the strength that comes from standing together. Join us in our mission to empower and support domestic violence survivors and their pets. Whether you’re a pet lover, a potential foster parent, or a business eager to make a difference, there’s a place for you in our ever-growing family.

our mission

Praline’s Backyard Foundation began while our founder, Orazie Cook, was volunteering at a domestic violence shelter, in tandem to working with pets. This experience highlighted the urgent need for pet safety in domestic violence situations. Recognizing the scarcity of pet-friendly options in most domestic violence shelters, she set out to change that. Initially assisting with a couple of pets each month, our impact has grown exponentially. Our goal is to empower domestic violence survivors to leave their abusive situation, knowing that all members of their family have a soft place to land.

From humble beginnings, we now receive an average of 50 requests per month for housing assistance. On any given day, we have approximately 5 pets in boarding and over 45 in the care of our dedicated pet fosters. Our network has flourished, expanding from a handful of volunteers to over 30,000 strong, including a pivotal partnership with doobert.com, covering all 50 states.