Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence

National Pet Month may have ended, but the connection between survivor safety and pet safety matters every day.

Today, we are highlighting Colorado River Regional Crisis Services and the ways they help create safer options for survivors and their companion pets.

CRRCS provides a haven for pets and people. Their emergency shelter and transitional housing both accommodate companion pets, helping reduce one of the many barriers survivors may face when seeking safety. Through a partnership with their local AARF organization, CRRCS can provide vaccines, food, and other pet supplies, including leashes and shampoo.

They also offer meaningful support when survivors have court hearings, interviews, or other appointments by allowing pets to be safely watched by on site staff.

For many survivors, pets are family, comfort, connection, and safety. Services like these help make it possible for survivors and the animals they love to remain together while accessing support.

This week, ACESDV leadership is joining advocates, service providers, and partners in Washington, D.C. to elevate the needs of survivors across Arizona.

We are grateful to meet with elected leaders who took time to discuss critical issues impacting survivors and the programs that serve them.

Thank you to for your commitment to advocating for funding and resources that support survivors of domestic and sexual violence and the organizations working alongside them.

We also appreciate for meeting with ACESDV and to discuss the shortage of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) in Arizona. Access to trained forensic nurses is essential for survivors seeking medical care, support, and justice following sexual violence. We are thankful for your compassion and commitment to addressing this critical need.

Thank you as well to for taking the time to meet and discuss issues affecting survivors, families, and communities across Arizona.

Advocacy happens at every level. By sharing survivor-informed perspectives and the realities facing programs across our state, we help ensure that policies and funding decisions reflect the needs of those most impacted.

Meet Billie, our ACESDV Pet Photo Contest winner.

Also known as Billie Bear, Billie Pants, and Billionaire, Billie is much more than a contest champion. He is a treasured member of his Pet Parent Melissa’s family, a loyal companion, and a very smart pup with a big heart and an even bigger brain. According to Melissa, Billie understands multiple languages and loves spending time with his cat sister.

Melissa first met Billie when he was just a puppy in a shelter after he had been found hurt and abandoned. From that moment, she knew she had found her furever friend. Over time, Billie became her emotional support companion, staying by her side through difficult chapters and offering comfort, protection, and unconditional love.

Today, Melissa and Billie are in a happier chapter, surrounded by love, support, and community. Their story is a beautiful reminder of the powerful bond between survivors and their pets, and why keeping people and their companion animals safe together matters.

Congratulations, Billie. We are so excited to celebrate you.

A special thank you to everyone who donated, voted, and supported ACESDV’s Pet Photo Contest, and to the Defenders of Children family for showing Billie and Melissa so much love.

This Pride Month, support LGBTQ+ survivors and ACESDV’s work to build a safer, more equitable Arizona for every survivor. Purchase your ACESDV Pride Month Tee and help continue survivor centered advocacy across our state.
https://www.bonfire.com/acesdv-pride-month-tee/

Although National Pet Month has wrapped, we are continuing to highlight the important ways Arizona programs help survivors and their pets find safety together.

New Life Center provides emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their companion pets through PAWS, Protecting Animals With Survivors. Their campus gives pets the opportunity to stay in individual casitas with their families, helping reduce one of the many barriers survivors may face when seeking safety.

Families also receive basic needs for their pets, including food, collars, leashes, toys, and beds. Dogs can enjoy the on-site dog park, and last year, New Life Center welcomed dogs, cats, tortoises, birds, and bunnies.

For many survivors, pets are family, comfort, and connection. Pet-inclusive services help create safer options so survivors do not have to choose between their own safety and the animals they love.

Thank you, New Life Center, for helping create safer, more compassionate options for survivors and their pets.

The votes have been counted and we officially have a winner!!!

Congratulations to Billie, also lovingly known as Billie Bear, Billie Pants, and Billionaire, our ACESDV Pet Photo Contest winner. 🐾🐶

Thank you to everyone who submitted, voted, donated, and cheered on the dogs, cats, horse, cow, tortoise, rabbit, duck, and spider who helped make this contest so special. Together, we raised over $1,599 in donations in honor of National Pet Month!

Every donation helps support ACESDV’s work to increase awareness, resources, and safer options for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including survivors with beloved pets.

More to come as we spotlight Billie and celebrate our winner...

Thank you for celebrating with us!

Happy Pride Month!

Pride Month is a time to celebrate identity, joy, visibility, and community. It is also a time to recognize that LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic and sexual violence deserve access to safety, healing, and support that affirms every part of who they are.

Survivors should never have to hide their identity, explain their worth, or fear discrimination when seeking help. LGBTQ+ survivors may face added barriers, including isolation, outing, rejection from family or community, housing instability, lack of affirming services, and fear of not being believed.

At ACESDV, we believe support must be inclusive, survivor-centered, and rooted in dignity. This Pride Month and every month, we continue working toward a future where can access safety, resources, and care.

Arizona Sexual and Domestic Violence Helpline:
Phone: 602-279-2980 or 800-782-6400
SMS Text: 520-720-3383
Chat: www.acesdv.org/helpline
Arizona Relay Service: 7-1-1
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., extended Tuesday to 7:00 p.m.
Email: [email protected]

The countdown is on to vote in the ACESDV Pet Photo Contest!

The leaderboard is still moving, and this contest is not over yet. One final push from friends, family, coworkers, and fellow pet lovers could help your favorite pet take the lead.

Votes are $1 each, and every vote helps support ACESDV’s work to increase awareness and resources for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. For many survivors, pets are part of family, comfort, healing, and safety planning.

Voting ends TODAY at 11:59 p.m.!

Vote or make a donation today:
https://givebutter.com/PetPhotoContest

Join us next weekend for a Free Family Friendly Event!
https://www.visitphoenix.com/event/phoenix-fathers-day-walk%3A-a-morning-with-dad/157885/

Register here: https://aesaz.co/ELP/FDW2026

Phoenix Father's Day Walk: A Morning with Dad - Phoenix AZ, 85007 Phoenix Father’s Day Walk: Safe Families Safe Futures! Join the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV), the City of Phoenix Human Services Department, MANCAVE, and Chicanos Por La Causa for the inaugural Phoenix Father’s Day Walk, a community event dedicated to honoring f...