May is National Pet Month, a time to recognize the life-changing role animals play in our lives—not just as companions, but as sources of healing, strength, and unconditional love. At Urban Resource Institute (URI), we know this bond can be lifesaving—especially for those escaping domestic violence or homelessness.
Since launching PALS (People and Animals Living Safely) in 2013, URI has been at the forefront of a national movement to keep families and their pets together during times of crisis. As the first and largest provider of co-sheltering for survivors and pets in the country, URI’s PALS program has offered safety, support, and dignity to over 1,800 individuals and nearly 900 pets across our domestic violence and homeless family shelters.
In a world where many shelters still separate people from their beloved animals, URI stands firm in the belief that healing should never mean heartbreak—and that family includes pets. Through PALS, we provide safe spaces where survivors can begin rebuilding their lives without having to choose between safety and the companion who gives them strength.
This National Pet Month, we celebrate the human-animal bond, uplift the voices of pet-owning survivors, and recommit to our vision: a world where no one has to flee abuse or homelessness alone.
