Over 3 million people are victims of domestic abuse in the USA and 25% of those people say the reason they stay or return to their abusers is out of fear for what will happen to their pets if they leave. Abusers often threaten pets in order to get caregivers to stay. Only 3% of domestic Abuse Shelters currently allow animals, a number that must grow, as we seek to help victims out of abusive relationships and our concept of family expands to include four-legged children.

Urban Resources Institute runs shelters for victims of Domestic Abuse all over New York City. They were the first shelter to allow pets into their shelters, so victims wouldn't have to leave them behind.

These shelters are equipped to accept families of domestic violence along with their pets. Pet-Safe Shelters: http://alliephillips.com/saf-tprogram/saf-t-shelters/