Grant Application for
Little Traverse Bay Humane Society
Mission Statement:
Little Traverse Bay Humane Society has been in operation since 1951 and is a non-profit, no-kill, animal welfare organization in Harbor Springs, Michigan. We assist the residents of Emmet County, and animals in need throughout Michigan. Our work is supported by a small amount of government funding for stray care, but donors are the driving force behind the compassionate, comprehensive care we provide.
Our mission is sustainably and respectfully serving pets and the people who love them with compassionate, comprehensive and exemplary care.
Fiscal agent if applicant is not tax exempt:
Tax ID Number:
38-1384441
Contact First Name:
Contact Last Name:
Jessica
Mendezona
Address:
1300 West Conway Rd, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Email:
Phone Number:
231-347-2396
Website:
Project Name:
Safe Harbor for Survivors
Project start and end dates:
May 1, 2026
January 1, 2027
Amount Requested:
$
2500
Project Description:
Little Traverse Bay Humane Society respectfully requests $4,000 from Hestia Women’s Giving Circle to support an expansion of our Safe Harbor Program, which provides temporary, no-cost boarding and care for pets belonging to individuals experiencing crisis.
This funding will specifically support women and families in Emmet and Charlevoix counties who are entering transitional housing due to domestic violence, housing instability, or other emergencies. For many women, the decision to leave an unsafe or unstable environment is complicated by concerns for their pets’ safety. National studies show that a significant percentage of domestic violence survivors delay leaving abusive situations out of fear for what will happen to their animals.
Our Safe Harbor Program removes this barrier by ensuring pets have a safe, supportive place to stay while their owners access housing, legal support, and other stabilization services.
Goal of the Project
How many people will you reach?
15
What percentage are female?
100
If your program serves both males and females, how will Hestia funds specifically target women and girls?
While Little Traverse Bay Humane Society serves all members of our community, funding from Hestia will be specifically earmarked to support women and girls through our Safe Harbor Program.
Hestia funds will be used exclusively for cases in which the pet owner is a woman or a female-led household. These funds will directly cover the cost of temporary boarding, daily care, and any necessary veterinary services for their pets during this period.
We will work closely with local partners—including domestic violence shelters, social service agencies, and housing organizations—to identify eligible participants. Intake and referral processes allow us to track and designate cases supported by Hestia funding, ensuring that these dollars are restricted, documented, and reported solely for women and girls served in Emmet and Charlevoix counties.
By earmarking these funds, we can intentionally remove a critical barrier for women seeking safety and stability—ensuring they do not have to choose between their well-being and their pet.
How are recipients identified or selected to receive services? Is financial need considered?
Recipients of Safe Harbor services are identified through a combination of direct requests and trusted community referrals. We partner closely with local domestic violence agencies, housing organizations, and social service providers throughout Emmet and Charlevoix counties, who refer women and families entering transitional housing or experiencing crisis.
In addition, individuals may contact us directly for support. In all cases, our team conducts a brief intake to understand the situation, immediate needs, and timeline for care.
Financial need is considered, but the program is intentionally designed to be low-barrier and non-judgmental. We do not require documentation or income verification, as this can delay access to safety—particularly for survivors of domestic violence. Instead, we assess need based on circumstances such as housing instability, crisis status, and referral context.
What do you hope to achieve? What difference will this make in the lives of women and girls?
How will this project meet Hestia's mission statement?
Through this project, we aim to remove a critical and often overlooked barrier that prevents women from seeking safety and stability: access to safe, temporary care for their pets.
With Hestia’s support, we expect to assist approximately 10–15 women and female-led households in Emmet and Charlevoix counties by providing Safe Harbor services for their pets during times of crisis. The immediate outcome is that these women can enter transitional housing, access supportive services, and take necessary steps toward independence without delaying or compromising their safety due to concern for their animals.
The difference this makes is both practical and long-term. By ensuring pets are safely cared for, women are more likely to leave unsafe or unstable environments sooner, can focus on securing housing and other essentials. Emotional stress is reduced, allowing for greater stability and recovery the likelihood of pet surrender is significantly decreased.
This project directly supports Hestia’s mission to promote the economic self-sufficiency and well-being of women and girls. By eliminating a barrier to housing and safety, we are enabling women to move forward more quickly and successfully into stable living situations.
How will you evaluate or measure your success:
We will evaluate success through both quantitative and qualitative measures. Key metrics include: number of women and female-led households served; number of pets safely housed; average length of stay; and successful reunification rates. We will also track referral sources and the percentage of participants able to enter or maintain transitional housing due to Safe Harbor support. When possible, we will gather feedback from participants and partner agencies to assess reduced barriers, improved stability, and overall experience. All Hestia-funded cases will be tracked separately to ensure accurate reporting on impact specific to women and girls in Emmet and Charlevoix counties.
Grant Project Budget Form
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