Penny’s Haven
In development.
Our Mission
Our goal is to prevent families in Washington, D.C. from having to surrender their pets due to temporary homelessness and other housing emergencies.
Penny’s Haven is currently in development. We plan to partner with local boarding facilities to provide paid, temporary care for pets while their owners work toward stable housing.
Keeping Families Together
We believe that there is a powerful relationship between animals and people that profoundly impacts the health and wellbeing of all. While one-third of people in D.C. have a pet, the District does not yet have an operating homeless shelter that allows non-service companion animals.
For people facing homelessness, domestic violence, or other emergencies, worrying about what will happen to their pets can become a significant barrier to accessing the help they need. Programs like Penny’s Haven help remove this barrier by providing temporary care for pets while their owners work toward safety and stability.
Current Status
We are currently conducting a feasibility assessment, identifying potential boarding partners, and developing a fundraising plan. This website is under development. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Sarah Lu is an animal welfare professional with experience in nonprofit program management, companion animal care, and community outreach. She holds a Master of Public Administration from American University and is currently pursuing a master's degree in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law at the University of Edinburgh.