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BUTTERS

Butters Bridge Program

Butters Bridge Boarding (Org-Referred)

Founder-led, short-term pet boarding program for Domestic Violence and crisis cases on LA’s Westside - by organization staff referral only. We’re building Butters: a safer, kinder pet-care ecosystem app. Support the build → Join the waitlist.

Why this exists (data that matters)

  • 18–48% of survivors delay leaving or return because of pets. 

  • ~71% of pet-owning survivors report a partner threatened or harmed a pet. 

  • In 2024, U.S. shelters had an 82% save rate; ~425,000 animals were still killed. We can relieve pressure by bridging short stays.

  • 36% of pet owners in one healthcare study reported pet-related barriers to getting care. Bridge care helps patients keep appointments.

Join the Waitlist

How the program works

  • Who may refer: DV centers, rescues/shelters, hospital/clinic social work (staff only).

  • Duration: 48 hours (default), up to 1 week (case-by-case).

  • Pet: Under 50 lbs, friendly, vaccinated to best knowledge.

  • Area: Westside LA (MDR, Venice, Culver City, Playa Vista, Mar Vista, Santa Monica, Westchester).

  • Safety: public, daylight coordinated handoffs • ID + referrals through org email ONLY • right to decline • no medical/training.

     

Submit a referral → quick screen → schedule handoff → daily check-ins → 48-hour extension decisions.

Hi, I’m Sue - founder of Butters. I’ve cared for animals for 10+ years as a foster, sitter, and dog mom. While we build the app, I’m helping one pet at a time - so survivors and patients aren’t forced to choose between care and safety. (Founder-led goodwill pilot program under Butters, Inc.)

This is a founder-led goodwill pilot under Butters, Inc. We are not a licensed boarding or medical facility. We provide reasonable care only, with public, daylight handoffs and ID verification. Capacity is limited and we may decline a case for safety or fit.

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Additional Info

Who can refer (STAFF ONLY):

  • DV organizations: advocates, case managers, program directors

  • Animal rescues/shelters: intake coordinators, foster coordinators, rescue directors

  • Hospitals/clinics: social workers, discharge planners, patient navigators, community health workers

  • Veterinary clinics (crisis only): practice managers or medical directors
     

Who is not a referrer: individual pet owners, friends/family, neighbors. (Please ask a partner org staffer to submit.)

Pets we can host:

  • Dogs or cats under 50 lbs

  • Friendly temperament; no known bite history

  • Vaccinated to the best of staff/client knowledge; on flea/tick prevention (or we can apply owner-provided dose at intake)
     

Duration & capacity:

  • 48 hours default; up to 1 week max (extensions in 24–48h steps, approved by the referring staff)

  • One pet at a time (founder-led pilot)


Geography (Westside LA only): Marina del Rey, Venice, Culver City, Playa Vista, Mar Vista, Santa Monica, Westchester
 

Notice & priority:

  • Preferred notice: 24–48 hours;

  • Dire cases: we try same-day if safe/feasible

  • Priority: referrals from DV centers and time-sensitive hospital discharges


How long can a pet stay?

  • Initial 48 hours, with 24–48h extension checkpoints up to 1 week max. Extensions require a quick staff check-in and a handoff plan (back to owner, your foster/kennel, or another safe placement).
     

Where do we see updates?

  • We send concise daily texts or emails to the staff contact on the referral.

     

FAQ

Can the public apply?

  • No. Staff-referred only (see “Who can refer” under COVERED).
     

Fees or charges?

  • No. This is a founder-led goodwill pilot with limited capacity.
     

What’s included?

  • Calm home, routine care (feeding, fresh water), gentle walks (dogs), litter care (cats), and text updates to the referring staff. No training or medical services.
     

Not included / out of scope?

  • Aggression cases or pets with active bite history

  • Specialized medical boarding (IVs, injections beyond simple owner-provided oral meds)

  • Intact females in heat, dogs requiring off-leash exercise, or pets needing isolation beyond a standard home setup
     

Safety & privacy—how handoff works?

  • Public, daylight meet points only (clinic lobby, shelter entrance, café front, police-approved site)

  • Owner ID view (view at intake; images deleted within 7 days if collected digitally)

  • Staff badge view at handoff (no photos kept)

  • No home address shared; right to decline any case for safety/fit/capacity


Verification (staff) Required?

  • Referral must come from a work email

  • We confirm via the main office line listed on your org’s website

  • After first verification, your org may receive a short referral code for faster processing.


Liability / terms:

  • This is a goodwill pilot under Butters, Inc. We are not a licensed boarding or medical facility. We provide reasonable care only under the conditions above. Referring orgs/owners remain responsible for medical needs, pre-existing conditions, and emergency authorizations. Right to decline any case for safety/fit.

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Cat Walking

How this ties into Butters?


The Bridge Program is our first step. It informs verified profiles, trusted services, community events, and crowdfunding all supported by ethical use of AI in ONE ecosystem -  BUTTERS PET CARE APP

We’re building Butters App - a safer, kinder pet-care community.

Get involved

For org staff (DV/rescue/hospital): Refer a case to the Bridge Program.

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For pet parents & supporters: Help us launch the app; get early access and updates.

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For pet-care providers (sitters, walkers, transport, grooming, training): Apply as a Founding Provider (0% fees on first 3 bookings + priority listing).
 

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