Purina Play Haven Opens At NYC Domestic Violence Shelter

by Mary Simpson

Published: October 20th, 2015

purina play haven opens at nyc domestic violence shelter

Many women stay in abusive homes because they don’t want to leave their dogs behind. Thanks to Purina Play Haven at Urban Women’s Retreat, they no longer have to.

Can you imagine fleeing an abusive relationship and leaving your kids behind to suffer? Not a chance, right? Now imagine if the “kids” were your pets. Again, not a chance, right? Well for many heading to a domestic abuse shelter, bringing the family pet has never been an option available to them.

That’s where the Urban Resource Institute (URI) and their People and Animals Living Safely (URIPALS) program enter the picture. The program was introduced to the institute’s Urban Women’s Retreat (UWR) one of New York City’s largest domestic violence service providers and it is one of only a handful nation-wide that allows families to arrive to the shelter with Rover in tow. To date, the program has helped 43 families with 63 pets, including 38 cats, 18 dogs and a range of smaller critters such as reptiles and fish, stay together as a family unit.

But we all know that fur-kids require more than just shelter from a violent home-life; they need regular exercise and socialization in order to remain physically healthy and mentally alert. That’s where pet food giant Nestlé Purina PetCare stepped up to the plate – for the second time – with the offer to fund, design and build a dog “park” at the shelter.

Opened earlier this month, the urban space complete with decking and agility equipment is the second doggie zone sponsored by Purina in support of an area shelter. In the spring of 2014, Purina Play Haven at URI’s Safe Haven shelter in Brooklyn became the first-ever dog park at a domestic violence shelter in New York City.

Nathaniel Fields, President and CEO of URI states: “Through the URIPALS program we have witnessed first-hand how important it is for survivors to have their beloved pets by their side while they heal. From early on in the URIPALS program, Purina has been committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence and their pets. We know that the new dog park will play an integral part in helping our clients heal, and for that we are extremely grateful to Purina.”

Sharing a mindset that people and pets are better together, the partner organizations are committed to reducing barriers to safety for families and pets in domestic violence situations.

And for a true warm and fuzzy moment, Purina is further supporting the URIPALS program by donating dog and cat food, along with other dog treats and cat litter as well as creating welcome kits for families bringing pets to Urban Women’s Retreat. It also includes essentials such as including pet travel carriers, safety gates, pet beds, pet feeding and watering bowls, cat scratching posts, leashes and pet toys.

I can’t believe this type of program isn’t more common and that more shelters haven’t found a way to make this happen. In a world where therapy dogs are proven to bring comfort to the suffering, wouldn’t this be a natural fit?

Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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Hundreds of Cats and Dogs Saved from an Animal Testing Laboratory

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Animal Shelter Has Clever Way to Fundraise for Valentine’s Day

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Why Is My Dog Licking and Chewing His Paws?

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Expats May Need to Leave their Pets Behind as Travel Costs Skyrocket

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Camping Available at Best Friend's Animal Sanctuary

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World’s Oldest Dog Posthumously Stripped of His Title

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Poll Reveals Biggest Pet Peeves of Dog Owners in the U.S.

We love our dogs endlessly, but that doesn’t mean they don’t occasionally get under our skin. Even the most beloved pets come with a little “extra baggage,” introducing unique challenges and hurdles in our lives.If you have ever had to cancel plans because you couldn’t find a pet sitter or call into work to take your pet to the emergency vet because they ate something they shouldn’t, you understand.Of course, they are worth the effort!But what is the biggest annoyance faced by pet parents? This is the question that Forbes Advisor set out to answer with a recent nationwide poll. They surveyed 10,000 dog parents to uncover their biggest pet peeves, both nationally and state-by-state.Dog parents across the country revealed their biggest frustration was finding a dog sitter when traveling, as shared by 37.3% of those surveyed. This was also the top in 43 states and ranked among the top three responses in all 50.This was followed by:Finding dog-friendly hotels (23.6%)Having to walk/exercise their dog (23.3%)The cost of owning a dog (22.9%)Excessive barking (19.8%)Excessive shedding (17.5%)The answer highlights the importance of finding and creating a list of trusted pet sitters before you need one. This ensures that you’re covered not only when making travel plans but also in the event of an emergency.There are many ways to find a trusted pet sitter. Consider asking your veterinarian, groomer, or friends/family for recommendations. You can also check websites like Fetch and Rover for pet sitters in your area or browse marketplace-style listings on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Kijiji.Just make sure you are doing your due diligence. Don’t leave your beloved pet with a complete stranger. Instead, take time to ask questions, check reviews, and verify credentials.At the bottom of the list, the least reported annoyance was “when my dog jumps up on/lays on furniture or beds,” reported by only 5.32% of dog owners. Delaware and Missouri were the states where this was most often listed as one of their top annoyances, while those in New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Rhode Island reported it the least.Additionally, the following answers were at the bottom of the list:Having to take their dog to the groomer (7.55%)Excessive drooling/slobber (7.56%)Checking their dog for ticks (7.58%)Their dog taking over the bed (7.72%)Are you interested in a state-by-state breakdown? Forbes Advisor also shared a chart highlighting the top three pet peeves for each state, giving you a more detailed look at the opinions of other dog parents in your area.Overall, the survey provides a fascinating insight into the struggles faced by dog parents. For many, it may serve as a reminder that pet ownership isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Adding a dog to your family is a commitment, one that requires a willingness to make changes or sacrifices to meet their needs.If you occasionally struggle with frustration related to these changes, you’re not alone. Thousands of pet parents across the country also feel this way!Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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