PALS: Providing Safety and Healing for People and Pets
People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) is an innovative program by the Urban Resource Institute (URI), founded in 2013, to address the intersection of domestic violence and pets. It is the first and only program in New York City offering co-living arrangements and comprehensive services for people and their pets in shelters, allowing them to stay and heal together.
Before PALS, many domestic violence survivors faced the heartbreaking choice of leaving their pets behind, surrendering them, or staying in an abusive home due to shelters not accommodating animals. PALS eliminates this dilemma by supporting the human-animal bond, crucial for healing from trauma. Watch the powerful short film “When I Close My Eyes” to see one family’s experience.
Watch “When I Close My Eyes”
Produced by Rising Act Films
Director & Writer: Kaitlin Scott
Since its inception, PALS has grown significantly. It now operates in 11 shelters, and has served over 600 families and 800 pets. Recently, URI celebrated PALS’ 10th anniversary, highlighting its impact on preserving the bond between survivors and their pets. This includes opening New York City’s first pet-inclusive homeless shelter in the Bronx, in partnership with the NYC Department of Homeless Services, creating a more inclusive and compassionate shelter system that reflects our communities’ diverse needs.
Watch the PALS Story
Looking Back on 10 Years of PALS
PALS Report and Survey
“Pawprint” for Action
Did You Know?
| 50% | Of survivors would not consider shelter for themselves if they could not take their pets |
| 91% | Of survivors indicated that their pets’ emotional support and physical protection are significant in their ability to survive and heal |
| <10% | Of domestic violence shelters provide some accommodations for survivors’ pets |
PALS by the Numbers
Heads of Households
Children
Total individuals kept with their pets
47% Dogs
39% Cats
14% Other Species
PALS exemplifies URI’s commitment to innovation and impact in delivering trauma-informed, client-centered services. Learn more about the extraordinary journey of PALS through the voices of those who inspire and elevate the program’s mission.
Human Animal Bond
The human-animal bond plays a crucial role in helping people heal from trauma. For those who are in crisis, including survivors of domestic violence and those experiencing homelessness, pets are often a significant source of comfort and support. PALS understands the necessity of keeping people together with their pets through these times of crisis, which is why we welcome people into shelter with diverse pets and provide resources to assist the entire family – both human and animal. To date, we have sheltered:
Cats
Dogs
Turtles
Rabbit
Fish
Birds
Guinea Pigs
Hamsters
Bearded Dragons
We allow the whole family to heal together
PALS offers pet-ready apartments and services across New York City in three boroughs that allow families and pets to live and heal together in the same secure space. Our aim is to break the cycle of violence and foster independence and hope.
Victims are provided a full range of wellness services
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Compensation for Victims of Domestic Violence
By definition, all domestic violence victims are crime victims and many need financial assistance to recover collateral destroyed by abusers. New York State’s Crime Victims Board provides compensation to victims for losses they incurred as a result of a crime. The New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) offers compensation for victims of crime, including domestic violence. Visit their Services page to learn more and apply.
Download the Crime Victims Benefit Application here.
URI serves all survivors of domestic violence, intimate partner violence and gender-based violence regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
How to Help PALS
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PALS relies on financial support from donors like you to help families in crisis. Won’t you invest in this one-of-a-kind program?