Client Stories / Community Impact
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 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.
Economic Empowerment Program
URI Economic Empowerment Program (EEP) staff members work directly with clients to provide training, tools, and resources to end cycles of violence, homelessness, and intergenerational poverty. Hear from EEP Program Director, Teal Inzunza and Director of the Fabrication Lab (Fab Lab), John Jeffreys on how the program is helping adults and youth achieve stable futures.
Christine Figueroa
Obina Escort & Aaliyah Duah
Dumitrita Paladi
Relationship Abuse Prevention Program
URI Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP) and Early RAPP reach 40,000 students across New York City, annually. Meet the inspiring RAPP Coordinators and Early RAPP Community Educators who work directly with teens and adolescents to help cultivate healthy relationships.
Programs for Homeless Families
Lindsay, former client of URI Programs for Homeless Families, is a testament to the power of commitment and hard work. With the help of URI, combined with her dedication to keeping her family together and becoming financially independent, Lindsay triumphed over homelessness.
Abusive Partner Intervention Program (APIP)
Hear from Urban Resource Institute’s Deputy CEO on the important work of APIP with offenders to keep survivors safe and to help prevent future domestic violence.
Listen to Daniel’s story of accepting accountability for the harm he has caused and working through APIP to change his abusive behavior, in an interview with URI ambassador and domestic violence survivor, Joy Taylor.
Domestic Violence Services
Joy Taylor, TV Host and Sportscaster, Shares Her Story of Hope
