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People who are experiencing domestic violence will be able to seek shelter with their pets in Blaine beginning in January.

 announced that it will open Linus’ Pet Haven with three renovated bedrooms that will have attached private kennels.

Candice Amundson is a single mother, advocate and domestic violence survivor. When she first reached out to the shelter several years ago, she was not able to bring her beloved dog, Linus. 

“Being separated, it's hard to move on and try to build up the pieces again when you don’t have one part of your family with you,” Amundson said. She said her pet was a lifeline and describes her relationship with Linus as healing.  

In 2022, she began to research the option of adding pet-safe rooms at Alexandra House. This led her to RedRover, an organization that helps pets and pet owners escape domestic abuse.  

Nearly half of victims choose to stay in abusive situations rather than leave their pets behind, according to RedRover, and 71 percent of women in domestic violence shelters report their abuser threatened, injured or killed a pet.

Alexandra House’s executive director Connie Moore said they wanted to make sure survivors didn’t have to make a decision between leaving their abuser and staying with their pet.  

“The animals will actually be able to stay in the room,” Moore said, “The support and the emotional support, just the healing that that brings for the family, is incredible.”  

Alexandra House plans to add an exercise and play space into their yard alongside the renovated bedrooms. The shelter will have the capacity to house up to six animals at once.  

Linus’ Pet Haven was named after Amundson’s late dog.  

“You could just hug him, and you immediately could feel some peace,” Amundson said.  

A 24-hour statewide sexual violence and domestic violence hotline is available in Minnesota. You can call 

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Alexandra House announced that it will open Linus’ Pet Haven with three renovated bedrooms that will have private kennels attached. 

Pet-friendly domestic violence shelter opening in Anoka County

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