Urban Resources Institute, the largest provider of domestic violence shelter and support services across the United States, announced at the end of October that they would be opening the country's first ever fully pet-friendly shelter for victims of domestic abuse, PALS Place, in Brooklyn, New York.
As reported by Today's Veterinary Practice, the seven-story building consists of 30 one- and two-bedroom apartments so that individuals and families are able to recover from domestic violence, all in the company of their beloved fur-babies. There is enough space for approximately 100 people at the emergency shelter.
Within the facility there is also a space for pet grooming and play, and a "unique animal-centric programming to help residents of all species thrive."
Research by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence previously found that about 70 percent of abuse survivors reported that their pets were also threatened, harmed, or killed by their abusers, but only 3 percent of shelters in the entire country accommodate pets, leaving many victims to make the terrible choice of having to leave their pets behind or not seek the help and safety of a shelter.
According to the study, nearly 50 percent of abuse victims will rather stay in their violent situations than leave their pets behind.
