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Purina, Urban Resource Institute Raise Awareness of Connection Between Domestic Abuse and Pets

Pet Age Staff//October 17, 2017//

Purina, Urban Resource Institute Raise Awareness of Connection Between Domestic Abuse and Pets

Pet Age Staff //October 17, 2017//

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Urban Resource Institute (URI), a leading provider of domestic violence programs and services in New York City, has worked with Purina over the course of many years. URI is one of the only providers of domestic violence shelters that allows victims of abuse to co-shelter with their pets through its PALS (People and Animals Living Safely) program. Both URI and Purina recognize that pets can be victims of domestic abuse, as well as the importance of the human-pet bond as a source of healing during times of physical, emotional and mental recovery.

URI and Purina launched a pet-centric social media competition at the beginning of October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month) to raise awareness around the fact that many perpetrators of domestic violence threaten or harm pets as a method of further controlling their victims.

URI and Purina are using the tag #ForeverPALS to shine a light on the unbreakable bond between humans and pets. Those who fulfill the competition guidelines below are eligible to win a free year’s supply of Purina pet food, fulfilled as coupons.

“URI and Purina are committed to raising awareness about the role pets play in domestic violence and the importance of the bond between humans and animals. Far too often, abusers will threaten or harm their partners’ pets as a method of control, and up to 48 percent of individuals stay in abusive situations to avoid leaving their beloved pet behind,” said Nathaniel Fields, president and CEO of URI. “Purina continues to be a key supporter and partner of URI’s PALS… The #ForeverPals campaign is an effort during Domestic Violence Awareness Month to draw attention to the incredible power of pets to provide physical and emotional healing during times of need.”

To enter, post a picture of your pet that makes you smile, tagging #ForeverPALS. Follow @URI_NYC and @Purina on Twitter and Instagram (@URI_NYC and @Purina) and like Urban Resource Institute and Purina on Facebook.

Contest terms and conditions can be found here.

In the spring of 2014, Purina sponsored the creation of the “Purina Pet Haven” at URI’s Safe Haven shelter in Brooklyn, the first-ever dog park at a domestic violence shelter in New York City, designed to provide domestic violence survivors and their pets a safe place to play and heal together while in shelter. Purina has since funded the design and construction of two additional dog parks at URI shelters.