Earlier this year, Animal Humane Society became one of six Twin Cities organizations that joined forces to ensure domestic violence victim-survivors never have to choose between their own safety and their pets’ well-being.
The Minnesota Pet Coalition (MNPC) is a collaboration between local animal welfare organizations including AHS, The Bond Between, and Four Winds Connections and domestic violence organizations Cornerstone, Women’s Advocates, and Tubman.
Currently only 17% of domestic violence shelters accept pets1 and nearly half of victims stay in abusive situations rather than leave their pet behind2. The coalition aims to reduce barriers that prevent people from seeking safe shelter for themselves out of concern for their pet. By calling on a shared network of volunteers who are willing to provide both transport and short- or long-term foster care (up to 90 days) for pets, the coalition can keep these beloved family members safe while domestic violence victim-survivors work with advocacy groups to find a place to live.
Animal Humane Society’s participation in MNPC complements our existing Temporary Pet Housing program, which provides up to 60 days of free housing – typically with a foster volunteer – and preventative care for pets of families experiencing a short-term crisis. Since 2022, the Temporary Pet Housing program has served more than 160 pets of people facing a housing transition, recovering from a medical emergency, seeking chemical dependency treatment, and more. This program, in combination with the coalition, gives local families experiencing crisis the time and space they need to focus on themselves before reuniting with their beloved companion.
AHS understands the impact pets can have on an individual’s physical and emotional well-being. Providing people with these critical resources is just one of the ways AHS is working to keep pets with the people who love them most.
1 Carlisle-Frank, Frank and Nielsen
2 Red Rover – Purple Leash Project