Mariska Hargitay and Purina Team Up to Support Domestic Violence Survivors

Domestic violence often forces survivors into an impossible choice: leave an abusive partner or abandon the pets they rely on for comfort. Currently, fewer than 20% of shelters in the United States accommodate animals, a gap that causes nearly half of all survivors to delay seeking safety. By partnering with the nonprofit RedRover, the Purple Leash Project issues grants to renovate facilities and secure veterinary support, aiming to ensure that both people and their companions can escape harm together.

At the Washington match, Hargitay joined a therapy team featuring a Golden Retriever named Cassidy to highlight the healing bond between humans and animals. Beyond the ceremonial coin toss, the campaign is selling limited-edition soccer scarves, with all proceeds directed toward funding pet-inclusive shelter spaces. Purina has already committed over $2.2 million across 30 states, working toward a goal of providing one million safe nights for survivors and their pets by 2030.