Sunday E-dition: Paws for Peace Supports Domestic Violence Survivors
By Lisa Adams Walter
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — Earlier this fall, Monica Stevens, co-founder and CEO of Napa’s Jameson Humane, had an idea. A solution-focused leader with animal welfare always on her mind, she realized that Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is October, was fast approaching.
Pets, an integral part of a family, are frequently caught in the middle of abusive relationships just as children are. According to Stevens, recent studies reveal that 71% of women who enter shelters to escape domestic violence report that their abuser either threatened or harmed their animals.
With Jameson Humane’s purpose of fostering harmony between humans and animals, assisting people and pets escaping dangerous domestic situations only made sense to Stevens. Jameson Humane knows how to help vulnerable animals and also understands the high level of need for veterinary as well as human social-service support for victims of abuse. Partnering with other solution-based nonprofits to help domestic-violence survivors was the next step.
No one should be forced to stay in danger just because they love their animals.
Paws for Peace, a new partnership between Jameson Humane, NEWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services and Ruthless Kindness, was rapidly created, launching an evergreen campaign dedicated to raising awareness and providing crucial support for survivors of domestic violence and their beloved animals.
All Paws for Peace funds raised will be divided evenly between the three nonprofits in perpetuity and designated for domestic violence victim pet-care support.
Due to her professional work in both the wine business and nonprofit worlds, Stevens tapped into her connections to quickly bring life to the October campaign developed solely to raise dollars to fund safe, pet-friendly housing options for individuals fleeing violent situations.
“It warmed my heart,” Stevens said, that within three or four days of her first ask more than 40 Napa Valley restaurants, wine bars, wineries and hotels committed to donating a portion of their October onsite sales to kick off Paws for Peace.
Ruthless Kindness
“Our most common program at Ruthless Kindness is supporting victims of domestic violence who are trying to leave an abusive situation with a pet or pets,” said co-founder and veterinarian Sarah Reidenbach. “Fifty percent of survivors won’t leave because they don’t want to have to abandon their pets and leave them behind in an abusive situation, but they have nowhere pet-friendly to go. Through this partnership, we can potentially get a lot more victims and their pets to safety.”
Paws for Peace also recognizes that domestic-violence survivors often delay leaving an abusive relationship due to concerns for the safety of their pets. Since many shelters for humans do not accept animals, the decision is further complicated for survivors who feel they have no choice but to stay in harmful situations. Paws for Peace seeks to break this cycle by emphasizing that both humans and pets deserve a safe place to heal and rebuild their lives.
NEWS
A powerful resource for human domestic violence survivors in Napa County is NEWS, which assists people who need immediate shelter and other support.
Tracy Lamb, executive director, said that Paws for Peace will help fund pet-friendly hotel stays for people escaping violence. Oftentimes, hotels and landlords welcome people, but it can sometimes be a bit more difficult to house pets.
“The decision to leave an abusive relationship is already fraught with barriers and anguish when considering safety, the well-being of children, and financial support and housing,” Lamb said. “A pet or animal that is truly a member of the family is a source of stability and comfort and can be the deciding factor or barrier to forgoing a safe future. We want to provide solutions to that barrier so it is one less worry on the path to a safer life.”
Jameson Humane
Jameson Humane also has an important pet-fostering network in place.
“Often people must flee in the middle of the night; supplies like food and beds are slim,” Stevens said. “Jameson Humane provides animal foster care. The pets will be temporarily housed in a Jameson Humane Purple Foster Home for three months, which is generally the length of time it takes a person to stabilize after leaving a violent situation.”
“We ask that our Purple Fosters are amenable to visits from the pet’s family members,” she said. “It is a delicate program because the human is so vulnerable. None of this is textbook; every case is different.”
A pet can be the deciding factor or barrier to a safe future. We want to provide solutions to that barrier.
Stevens confirmed that 100% of the money raised will go toward assisting individuals seeking refuge, providing for options such as safe hotel accommodations, pet deposits for pet-friendly rental properties, essential food and supplies for both humans and animals, and veterinary care to ensure pets remain healthy and safe.
Wine and hospitality establishments that participated in the inaugural October campaign include Adversity Cellars, Arkenstone, Arrow & Branch, Aspire, Azur, Be Bubbly, Bevan Cellars, Brandon Gregory Wines, Comis Estate Vineyards, Compline, Croix, Del Roba Vineyard, Deuces Market, Feast It Forward, Fess Parker Family Portfolio, Gamling & McDuck, Gandona, Greer, Harumph, Hobel, Patent Wines, Jeffries General, JennaMarise Wines, Keplinger Wines, Melka Estates, Mojave Wines, Mowe Napa Valley, Myriad Cellars, Nemerever Vineyards, Outer Space Wines, Padis Jewelry and Tasting Lounge, Picayune Cellars, Plinth Wine, Pont Neuf Wines, Riverain Vineyards, Robert Foley Vineyards, Shibumi Knoll Vineyards, Studio 1299A, Switchback Ridge, The McClelland House, Unwritten Wines, Venge Vineyards and Zakin Family Estate.
“Our goal is to create a community that prioritizes safety for everyone, humans and animals alike,” Stevens said. “I am so very proud and grateful for the support of our wine and hospitality industry in making this campaign a reality.”
In looking forward, Lamb said, “Our future hope is that we will expand our ability to find long-term solutions to keep survivors together with their pets. We know how important it is for mental health and comfort to keep them together.”
Reidenbach agreed. “We want to believe that domestic violence isn’t common here in our beautiful Napa Valley, but it’s happening to one in four women and to men, as well,” she said. “No one should be forced to stay in danger just because they love their animals.”
The campaign — and the need — did not end last month. Donations earmarked specifically for Paws for Peace can be made throughout the year online through the Jameson Humane website. (select Paws for Peace when filling out the online donation form).
If today’s story captured your interest, explore these related articles:
Sunday E-dition: Napa's Haunting Spirits — A Ghostly Trilogy
Sunday E-dition: Calistoga and Its Library – a Century Long Retrospective
The Historical (And Personal) Significance of Mexican Independence Day
Lisa Adams Walter is a writer, storyteller, editor and publicist who has been published in media outlets locally and nationally. A California Wine Country native, she brings intimate insight to an array of wine, food, arts, entertainment, lifestyle and travel stories.
Levity Corner
Caption contest: Pick your favorite caption or add your own in the comments below.
Possible captions:
“So… belly rubs for life, right?”
“I think this is the beginning of something beautiful.”
“I didn’t think it would be this cozy in ‘our spot.’”
“Who rescued whom again?”
“Finally, someone who understands my need for pillow fortresses.”
Last week’s contest results
In “Sunday E-dition: Nothing’s Funny About Daylight Saving Time,” the winning caption was "So, wait, what’s the point? Exactly,” with 32% of the votes.
“This time change nonsense was easier to ignore before clocks.”
“Twice a year they do this, and they wonder why they’re tired.”
“Trust me, kid. They have no idea what they’re doing, either.”
“So, wait, what’s the point? Exactly.”
“Honestly, we’re better off ignoring their inventions.”
Last Week
In “Sunday E-dition: Nothing’s Funny About Daylight Saving Time,” Glenda Winders explored the inconveniences and questionable benefits of daylight saving time. Winders humorously recounted personal anecdotes of clock adjustments, lost walks and missed events, noting that the seasonal shift disrupts circadian rhythms and offers little energy savings in today’s world. Despite widespread frustration and expert findings against the practice, legislative attempts such as the Sunshine Protection Act have failed to make daylight saving time permanent. Winders argued that it’s time to let natural cycles prevail and abandon the twice-yearly clock change.
In "Green Innovation in Home Construction," Chris Benz detailed architect Beth Farley’s efforts to bring sustainable housing to Napa Valley through her company, GRID Design Build. Founded with partner Lisa Massaro, GRID specializes in regenerative, net-zero-energy homes, focusing on energy efficiency, carbon reduction and water conservation. Projects like Sebastopol’s mini-townhomes and Napa’s Harvest Village emphasize compact, community-oriented spaces that use solar energy, greywater systems and low-carbon concrete. Farley sees potential in infill developments to increase affordable housing options while minimizing environmental impact.
In "Dan Berger’s Wine Chronicles: Uncovering the 'Soul' of Noble Reds," Berger explored the distinctive qualities that make certain red wine grapes "ultra-noble" and others suitable for supporting roles in winemaking. Berger highlighted cabernet, pinot noir, nebbiolo and syrah as the world's top red varieties, noting their unique characteristics and ideal growing conditions that contribute to their renowned flavors. He also discussed other notable red grapes like grenache, sangiovese and gamay, which, while not ultra-noble, offer complexity and aging potential. Berger argued that as consumers shift away from high-alcohol wines, interest in these diverse, character-driven grapes could revitalize the wine industry.
In "Plant a Garden to Save Precious Water," Yvonne Rasmussen outlined strategies for creating rain gardens to conserve water in Napa Valley’s dry climate. She explained how to capture rainwater in soil using terraces, swales and carefully selected plants to help water infiltrate rather than runoff. Rasmussen recommended native plants suited to California’s climate, such as sedges, rushes and drought-tolerant sages, which reduce maintenance needs and support local wildlife. She also advised avoiding online resources not tailored to Napa Valley’s conditions and provided guidance on garden design and plant placement to optimize water conservation.
In "Under the Hood: ‘Our Flag Was Still There,’" Sasha Paulsen shared her perspective on working at a Napa County polling center and described a community town hall held at St. Helena’s American Legion Hall following a divisive election. Local leaders, including Rep. Mike Thompson, State Senator-elect Christopher Cabaldon and Supervisor Anne Cottrell addressed concerns about the future, expressing resilience despite political uncertainty. Thompson committed to bipartisan cooperation, Cabaldon emphasized California’s role as a stronghold for liberal policies and Cottrell urged unity and dialogue. Each leader encouraged active community involvement as a path forward amid potential challenges.
Next Week
We’ll have more engaging articles from a host of Napa Valley Features contributors. The UC Master Gardeners of Napa County will contribute to “Green Wednesday” with gardening advice and insights on local and global climate issues from environmental writers. Dan Berger will examine Napa Valley wines in his column “Forsake the Fiasco.” Mariam Hansen from the St. Helena Historical Society will explore the region’s history of flooding as a recurring issue. Georgeanne Brennan will pay homage to an underappreciated fruit, the quince. Tim Carl will share a conversation with Jennifer Bennett on Napa’s changing restaurant landscape, and a new contributor will cover the growth of bike tourism in the area along with additional content.