October may be full of pumpkins, costumes and everything fall, but it is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and an important time to bring attention to the Purple Leash Project. As pet owners, we know our pets are so much more than animals. They’re family, our comfort and often the ones right by our side during some of life’s hardest moments. For someone experiencing domestic violence, the thought of leaving a beloved pet behind can make an already difficult situation even harder. I know too many people that stayed because of this.

That’s why Purina and RedRover created the Purple Leash Project, an initiative working to help make more domestic violence shelters pet-friendly so survivors and their pets can find safety together. This October, I am adding a little purple to our walks as a simple way to show support and help start a conversation. The purple represents domestic violence awareness, while the leash represents that special connection we have with our pets.

So if you spot a purple leash this month, remember there’s a bigger meaning behind it. No one should have to choose between their own safety and the pet they love.