Urban Resource Institute Partners with The Dogfather of Harlem
to Support Domestic Violence Survivors
New York, NY (December 19, 2024) – Urban Resource Institute (URI) and Brian Taylor, best known as “The Dogfather of Harlem” and founder of Harlem Doggie Day Spa, have partnered to provide pets residing in URI’s domestic violence shelters a full suite of grooming services.
As part of this new collaboration, the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter services will partner with Taylor to provide complimentary grooming sessions for animals living in pet-inclusive domestic violence shelters operated by the People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) Program over the 2025 calendar year.
The partnership officially began on December 17, with an inaugural event in the Bronx, where Taylor and his team from Harlem Doggie Day Spa provided essential grooming services to pets residing in one of URI’s shelters. The day’s activities included one full dog groom, four dog baths, four cat nail trims, and three dog nail trims, underscoring the vital role pets play in the recovery journeys of domestic violence survivors. This event marked the start of a collaboration aimed at eliminating barriers to shelter for pet owners.
“Pets play a vital role in survivors’ decision to seek shelter,” said Nathaniel Fields, CEO of Urban Resource Institute. “At Urban Resource Institute, everything we do is focused on removing barriers for individuals seeking care. We know that pets are part of the family, and our studies show that over half of individuals experiencing domestic violence will not consider shelter if they can’t take their pets with them. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have strong allies in the animal welfare community and the city’s Department of Homeless Services. We’re honored that Brian Taylor, “The Dogfather of Harlem,” has chosen to spotlight URI’s distinctive mission and PALS Program.”
Since launching in 2013, URI’s People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) Program has provided pet-inclusive, apartment-style units to domestic violence survivors living in city shelters. Over the last decade, the program has expanded to 11 city shelter locations, housing 688 families and nearly 900 pets to date. In May, URI partnered with New York City’s Department of Homeless Services to launch the city’s first pet-inclusive shelter for homeless families with Uplift Families Residence in the Bronx. This latest partnership with Brian Taylor begins an exciting new chapter for the PALS Program and its residents.
“Animals are part of the family, and we need to treat them as such,” said Brian Taylor, owner of Harlem Doggie Day Spa. “Pets are always by our side to support us during tough times, but unfortunately, many people don’t have the resources to take care of their animals properly, especially access to dog grooming services. Harlem Doggie Day Spa is proud to partner with Urban Resource Institute. Our partnership feels like a natural extension of the work we are already doing for our community. We share a passion for serving Black and brown individuals, communities that are underserved, and animal lovers in need. I look forward to working with URI to scale our animal welfare services together.”
Danielle Emery, Program Director of URI’s PALS Program, emphasized the holistic and trauma-informed approach of the initiative. “This partnership with Brian Taylor is a perfect example of how we can combine pet welfare and survivor care in meaningful ways. For many survivors, their pets are their most trusted companions, providing comfort and emotional support during their recovery journey. This collaboration allows us to extend our services and address the needs of the whole family—human and animal alike—while also offering unique career opportunities through our Economic Empowerment Program,” said Emery.
Hope Dawson-Sessoms, a former PALS resident, shared her experience with the program’s transformative impact. “Having my dog by my side gave me strength and a reason to keep going. It’s not just about having a safe place for myself but knowing that my dog was cared for too. Programs like PALS understand the deep connection between survivors and their pets, and initiatives like this partnership with The Dogfather make a real difference in helping families heal together,” said Dawson-Sessoms.
In 2025, Taylor will collaborate with URI as an internship provider for a participant in the Economic Empowerment Career Exploration Program, an eight-week job readiness initiative that culminates in a two-month paid internship with prestigious organizations. This program empowers participants to explore various roles, hone their skills, and regain their independence. The upcoming internship will introduce participants to pet grooming as a potential career path, equipping them with valuable skills in a growing industry.
Taylor, best known as the Dogfather of Harlem, is an internationally celebrated pet care expert, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and social media influencer. Since founding the Harlem Doggie Day Spa in 2010, Taylor has received international acclaim. His visionary Pandemic Pup Relief Tour led a cohort of 100 volunteer groomers to groom 1,800 pets across 16 states and three countries free of charge. The program also provided training for new groomers, inspiring a new generation to create a world where every pet is loved and cared for. Taylor’s commitment to providing affordable, high-quality grooming for dogs, especially in underrepresented communities, inspired him to bring his services to domestic violence survivors in New York City’s shelter system.
About Urban Resource Institute:
Urban Resource Institute (URI) is a pioneering organization that transforms the lives of domestic violence survivors and homeless families by empowering individuals, families, and communities to break free from cycles of domestic violence, homelessness, poverty, and trauma. As the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in the U.S. and a leading advocate for homeless services, URI impacts over 40,000 individuals annually through prevention, intervention, education, and direct services in both residential and non-residential settings in New York. URI is recognized as a thought-leader with influence across the U.S. and beyond. For more information, visit www.urinyc.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
For immediate assistance, please call NYC’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.
About The Dogfather of Harlem
The Dogfather of Harlem, founded by Brian Taylor, combines expert pet care with a commitment to community enrichment. Through his Harlem Doggie Day Spa, Taylor provides premier grooming and wellness services, earning trust as a compassionate advocate for pets and their owners. Renowned for initiatives like the Pandemic Pup Relief Tour, which offered free grooming to pets during COVID-19, Taylor addresses disparities in pet care access. Learn more at harlemdoggiedayspa.com and dogfatherofharlem.com.
