"Courageous Together" Statue, A Partnership Between Purina And RedRover, Brings Awareness To Domestic Violence

Statue Brings Awareness to the Need for Pet-Friendly Domestic Violence Shelters

Courageous Together, a new statue depicting the brave first step of a domestic violence survivor and her beloved dog, is on tour across the U.S. in 2024 and early 2025.  

The statue was commissioned by the Purple Leash Project®, an innovative partnership between Purina and the nonprofit RedRover®. Artist Kristen Visbal created the inspiring sculpture that aims to raise awareness of the crucial role of pets in surviving domestic violence and the bond between humans and their pets. 

“Less than 20 percent of domestic violence shelters in the U.S. allow pets,” says Noa Hefer, Purina Brand Manager. “Our goal is to ensure that at least one-quarter of all domestic violence shelters offer pet-friendly services by the end of 2025. 

“Nearly half of survivors of domestic violence stay longer in their abusive relationship because they are concerned about their pet’s safety,” Hefer adds. “It is heartbreaking that someone might have to consider leaving their pet behind to escape domestic violence. A pet may be their only source of unconditional love and support.” 

The statue was unveiled May 6, 2024, on Good Morning America. Purina CEO Nina Leigh Krueger and actress Mariska Hargitay, founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, teamed up for the unveiling. 

“Art has an incredible way of opening minds and starting conversations, and Courageous Together is meant to do both as we continue to shine a light on the journey that domestic violence survivors with pets face,” Krueger said.  

“Through the Purple Leash Project, Purina hopes to drive fundamental change to the landscape of domestic violence services for survivors with pets, so no survivor has to choose between their own and the safety of their pet,” she said. 

“It’s hard to overstate the lifesaving role a pet can play in helping a victim survive the isolation that is so prevalent in abusive situations,” said Hargitay, whose foundation supports victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.  

“I deeply admire the Purple Leash Project’s vision and understanding of how a pet – and a leash – can be a lifeline for a survivor.” 

Every year more than 10 million people in the U.S. are physically abused by an intimate partner, according to RedRover, an organization that has worked over the past 16 years to change how domestic violence shelters serve survivors and their pets so that they may have access to a safe, secure place to recover from trauma. 

Seventy-one percent of women in domestic violence shelters report their abuser threatened, injured or killed a pet as a means of control, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 

“This sculpture was designed to capture the moment when this woman has made a definitive decision to leave the violent relationship,” says Visbal, who is known for creating the Fearless Girl statue installed in 2017 in Manhattan’s financial district to encourage companies to recruit women to their boards.  

“The determination of this woman is seen in her expression and the strength of her hand on the bag and her arm out and her elbow pointed,” Visbal says. “She has made the decision to leave, and it takes courage. The purple leash symbolizes the bond between pets and their people and is seen in the dog’s loving expression.”   

Visbal used a new 3D technology to sketch the design of Courageous Together. The statue was made of a fused polymer and a lightweight fiberglass material to ease its transportation around the country. Finally, it was painted to look like bronze.   

The Purple Leash Project came about from Purina’s mission to strengthen the bond between pets and people alongside RedRover’s mission to provide care and support to animals and their owners during times of crisis. Since 2019, Purina and RedRover have provided 48 Purple Leash Project grants to domestic violence shelters nationwide. 

“Ultimately, this sculpture is for the purpose of inspiring someone ensnared in a domestic violence situation to take action and find the courage to exit and exit now because their lives may depend on it,” Visbal says. “We hope to inspire survivors to walk away with courage and their pets in tow.” 

Courageous Together will be on display at the Ladies Professional Golf Association tournaments in September in Cincinnati and in Rogers, Arkansas. For information, visit https://www.purina.com/purple-leash-project/initiatives.