Urban Resource Institute Launches URI PALS Project, New York City’s First Initiative to Shelter Domestic Violence Survivors with their Pets

Muriel, a survivor of domestic abuse and her dog Jasmine

NEW YORK, New York – May 30, 2013 – Urban Resource Institute (URI) today announced the launch of New York City’s first-ever co-sheltering program to enable domestic violence survivors and their pets to reside together in shelter. The project, called PALS—People and Animals Living Safely—will run as a six-month pilot beginning June 1. URI is partnering with the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals (the Alliance) because of its expertise in ensuring pet safety in crisis situations.

 “There has never been a more important time for the domestic violence shelter community to open its doors to pets,” said URI President Nathaniel Fields. “As we witnessed during Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, pets are members of the family and no one should have to make the impossible decision to leave them behind during times of crisis.”

Today, national data show that more than 40% of domestic violence victims stay in abusive situations out of fear of what would happen if they left their pets behind. Plus, more than 70% of pet owners who enter shelter report that the abuser has threatened, injured or killed family pets.^[i] Yet in New York City—the largest provider of domestic violence services in the country with more than 50 shelters—not one shelter currently allows pets in residence, until now.

URI is filling this critical gap by becoming the first organization in New York City—and one of few nationwide—to welcome pets into domestic violence shelters. The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals will be working closely with URI to provide staff training, pet safety education, pet food and supplies, and foster solutions for any pets PALS may be unable to accommodate.

“The Alliance has assisted in hundreds of crisis cases—many involving domestic violence—over the past six years,” said Jane Hoffman, Alliance President. “We are extremely pleased that with our new URI partnership, families in domestic violence situations will be sheltered safely with their pets and away from the abusers, in keeping with our goal to help people and pets remain together during times of crisis.”

During its six-month pilot phase, URI PALS will accept cats and smaller animals such as hamsters, birds and fish into shelter. With the goal of raising $250,000 for program support and expansion, URI plans to launch PALS in its three other domestic violence shelters in New York City and welcome dogs into shelter as well. These funds will enable URI PALS to make the structural and organizational changes—such as soundproofing, building dog runs, and increasing staff training—that dogs and larger animals would require.

To ensure operational success, URI and the Alliance enlisted the help of Allie Phillips, national expert and founder of Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T)—the first and only global initiative that guides family violence shelters on how to welcome families with pets. “Urban Resource Institute’s PALS program will change the way New York City assists families with pets experiencing violence,” said Phillips. “Lives will be saved due to URI’s recognition that pets are part of the family and can be targeted in situations of family violence.”

Muriel Raggi, a domestic violence survivor who was in shelter four years ago, said she’s thankful to URI and the Alliance for recognizing how important pets are in people’s lives. “I remember lying in bed at night, with so many fears and worries swirling in my head, wishing I could have my dog Jasmine next to me to provide raw affection, comfort and support,” said Raggi. “URI PALS will ensure that other survivors with pets won’t face the heartbreaking choices I did.”

As part of the initiative, URI is launching an education campaign to raise awareness about pets and domestic violence. One of its key messages is to inform the public that New York is one of 25 states that allows people to place their pets on orders of protection.

“We have a community responsibility to keep families in crisis whole,” added Fields. “We hope URI PALS will serve as model for sheltering families with their pets across New York City and nationwide.”

For tips on keeping the entire family safe in domestic violence situations, please visit www.urinyc.org. To learn more about becoming a foster family for pets in crisis, visit www.animalalliancenyc.org.

Urban Resource Institute (URI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides comprehensive, holistic, and supportive human services programs that help individuals and families in the New York metropolitan area overcome obstacles and better their lives. With a rich 32-year legacy of social service research and expertise, deep community relationships, and a flexible, innovative approach to program development and service delivery, URI is uniquely equipped to provide solutions to the challenges affecting New York’s most vulnerable populations. URI’s hands-on programs for victims of domestic violence, the developmentally disabled, and people struggling with addiction and substance abuse are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the individual, while advocacy and community outreach initiatives build wider visibility and support for the issues that have an impact on our clients’ quality of life and New York’s urban communities. For more information, please visit www.urinyc.org.

The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals is a 501 (c)(3) charity that receives no government funding. As the organization marks its 10^th anniversary, with donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals, it is committed to transforming New York City into a no-kill community by 2015: where no dogs or cats of reasonable health and temperament will be killed merely because they do not have homes. Working with 150 partner rescues and no-kill shelters, the Alliance offers important services to save the lives of NYC’s animals. For more information, please visit www.animalalliancenyc.org.

 Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T)™ is the first and only global initiative offering guidance to family violence shelters on how to accommodate families with pets. The SAF-T Start-Up Manual provides practical information for shelters to provide on-site housing of family pets in an effort to keep families and pets safe from violence and reduce the number of families from returning to the abusive home in order to protect their pet. SAF-T was created by former prosecuting attorney Allie Phillips when she was a frontline prosecutor and saw too many victims returning home to protect their pet. Currently the SAF-T program has over 70 family shelters in the United States, Australia and Canada. Please visit www.animalsandfamilies.org for more information.

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Bil-Jac  is hosting a Take Your Dog To Work contest where dog lovers across the US have the opportunity to win dog treats and food coupons by sharing a photo of their dog at work. It is a celebration of National Take Your Dog To Work Day June 21 with a very special campaign, celebrating the spirit of the American office dog!

Between now and May 30, share your favorite photo of your dog “at work” — in the office if you’re an office worker, in a home office if you’re a home office/remote worker, and/or in the home if you’re a home-maker, stay at home mom, or the like. Share the photo via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or on the Bil-Jac website here.  http://www.bil-jac.com/photouploader.php.

After June 1, you can vote daily for your favorite “Dog at Work” picture on the Bil-Jac Pinterest  board. The Dog at Work with the most votes before June 30 wins $100 worth of Bil-Jac premium dog food and treats!

To learn more about Bil-Jac dog food and treats, go to BilJac.com

Photo by great_sea (Flickr.com – photo page, large size) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Apparently there’s now a new and improved Wisdom Panel 2.0 dog DNA test, to help me figure out my breed mix. It’s really fun to guess but there are reasons why mommy might want to know to help with training and nutrition. If you think your dog might be a purebred this works too. I’m 100% reservation dog but we’ll see what else is in the mix. (The folks at Mars Veterinary sent me this kit free, by the way but they are not paying me to review it!)

I’m going to take the test again and see what I am. If you want to guess my breed before it gets back, we’ll draw a name to send a free Wisdom Panel kit to the winner! Leave a comment with your best guess. 

Here’s more information about Wisdom Panel®

Wisdom Panel® detects the breeds in your dog’s ancestry. Your report can be interpreted in the following way:

• Parent - A breed that represents approximately 50% of your dog’s DNA.  You are likely to see the most physical and behavioral traits from this breed.  Dogs with mixed-breed parents will not have a breed represented at this level.Grandparent

• Grandparent
  A breed that represents approximately 25% of your dog’s DNA. You may see some physical and behavioral traits from this breed. Dogs with a very mixed ancestry may not have a breed represented at this level.
  
• Great-Grandparent
  A breed that represents approximately 12.5% of your dog’s DNA. You are unlikely to see many traits from this breed unless they are dominant.

When you understand your dog’s natural tendencies, you can tailor a training, exercise and nutrition program to his needs.

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Hachiko

The ParksByNature Network, creator of the must-have parks navigation app – Pocket Ranger® has announced their list of the top five animal companions in celebration of how much our four-legged friends love the outdoors. And of course, the number one greatest companion is an Akita. (I am part Akita!)

#1 Hachiko (dramatized in the film “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale” starring Richard Gere.

Unlike the other four animals on our list, Hachiko actually existed. He has become something of a legend, though, inspiring books and movies, all of which serve as a testament to the enduring power of this true story. Born on a farm near Odate, Akita Prefecture, Hachiko was an Akita dog known for his remarkable loyalty. In 1924, a Tokyo university professor named Hidesaburo Ueno took in Hachiko as a pet, and the pair subsequently developed a routine in which Professor Ueno left for work in the mornings, and in the afternoons Hachiko went to the train station to greet his owner upon his return. This routine continued until May 1925 when Professor Ueno suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died, never returning to the train station where Hachiko obediently waited for him. Amazingly, each day for the next nine years Hachiko continued to appear at the train station precisely when his dead owner’s train was due to arrive. After one of Professor Ueno’s graduate students noticed Hachiko waiting at the station, word of the dog’s loyalty spread throughout Japan and became legendary. In 1934, admirers erected a bronze statue of Hachiko’s likeness at Shibuya Station.

The other animal companions include:

2. White Fang (Jack London novel, film starring Ethan Hawke)

3. Falkor (fantastical companion from “The Never Ending Story”)

4. Hedwig (white snow owl from the Harry Potter series)

5. Joey (horse at the center of “War Horse”)

The full article with complete details is available on the PocketRanger Blog

To learn more about local state parks in your area and all-around the country, download the ParksByNature’s Pocket Ranger® mobile app.  The app features advanced GPS technology for tracking trails, marking waypoints, and locating landmarks, plus the ability to search Places Near Me or Search by Activity or even find Camping and Lodging at in-park facilities.  It is available free to users and configured for both iPhone and Android platforms.

Image of Hachiko courtesy of www.fanpop.com

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P.L.A.Y., makers of high quality dog beds, and Nebo, Atlanta-based digital marketing agency, have partnered up to launch the Rescue Pledge to generate support and raise awareness for animal shelter adoptions

ATLANTA – Nebo, an award-winning digital marketing agency, and P.L.A.Y., makers of high quality dog beds with pets, people and the planet in mind, recently announced their newest joint effort called the Rescue Pledge to help pet rescue.

By taking the online pledge, users agree to support adoption from rescue shelters, avoid unlicensed breeders, become educated about minimum standards of pet care, report abuse or neglect and give back to the community by donating to or volunteering at animal shelters.

Taking the Pledge is simple and unobtrusive. After registering, pledgers receive a digital badge to share the cause with friends and family. They also gain the opportunity to publish their own pet adoption story on the Rescue Pledge website. 

“With a number of rescue pups in the P.L.A.Y. pack, we understand firsthand the obstacles many shelter pets face and can’t think of a better cause to support,” said Deborah Feng, Co-founder of P.L.A.Y. “The Rescue Pledge makes it easy for dog lovers around the world to show their support and dedication to changing these perceptions, and saving lives.”

To take the Rescue Pledge or share your story, visit www.RescuePledge.org.

About P.L.A.Y.:

P.L.A.Y. (Pet Lifestyle and You) is a young San Francisco-based company redefining the pet bed experience. Unable to find the perfect bed for their picky pug Momo, founders Will and Deb set on a mission to create beds that are not only comfy for pets, but also stylish for their owners AND better for our planet. Partnering with artists from San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, P.L.A.Y. creates exclusive and stylish eco-friendly pet beds. To view P.L.A.Y.’s award-winning Artist and Original Collections, visit www.PetPLAY.com.

About Nebo:

Nebo is a human-centered interactive agency. We believe that great work comes from understanding the needs, wants and perceptions of your audience. This human-centered approach informs everything we do. With expertise in interactive marketing strategy, web design, user experience, search engine optimization, pay per click management, conversion rate optimization and content management systems, Nebo has helped its clients achieve their digital goals. Visit http://www.neboagency.com for more information.

Photo courtesy: By Noël Zia Lee (Love) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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It’s Earth Day and our friend Heidi Ganahl, CEO and Founder of Camp Bow Wow  has compiled a list of several ways to help eliminate some burdens that dogs naturally impose on the environment and reduce your carbon pawprint.  

• Make Waste More Eco Friendly: A well-known fact is that it takes 1,000 years for a plastic bag to decompose. There are more eco-friendly options available at the grocery store, such as biodegradable bags made of corn husk that are made specifically for picking up after your dog.

• Premium Puppy Chow: When buying dog food and dog treats, always look for organic and/or natural products, which are easier on your dog’s stomach, and helps reduce waste overall. Be sure you recycle the packaging that is used for dog food, such as cans and food bags. To go the extra step, make your own dog food.

• Break out the Fine China: For your doggie dishes, purchase stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead of plastic. These materials last longer and don’t have to be replaced as often, eliminating waste.

• Groom Green: Use grooming products that are made with natural ingredients instead of chemicals that are harmful to the environment. You should also support groomers that use natural products or ask that your groomer switch to more eco-friendly products. Consider donating some green products so the groomer can see how much better they are than the toxic ones. These organic products are safer for the planet AND Fido. At Camp Bow Wow, dogs are bathed with all natural shampoo and conditioners. In fact, most locations also use “The Bathmaster Animal Bathing System”, which cuts bath time and product usage amount in half.

• Help Reduce the Population of Homeless Pets: You’ve heard Bob Barker say it before but here it is again: Spay or neuter your dog. This is not only beneficial for your dog’s health but the planet’s health as well. Humanely reducing the pet population helps to reduce the stress that dogs place on the environment.  Instead of purchasing a dog from a breeder, you should strongly consider adoption. Sadly, there are a lot of homeless dogs out there. Camp Bow Wow’s charity, The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, works with Camp Bow Wow franchisees throughout the county to provide foster care and facilitate adoptions for homeless pets.

• Dogs are not a trend. It’s important to understand that when you commit to buying a dog, you commit to Fido for the rest of his life – much like deciding to have a child. People who are not fully committed and purchase a dog on a whim, often give up the animal to a shelter, increasing the population of homeless dogs. Also, a high demand for a breed causes breeders to create a high supply, which leads to the same problem.

• Make Fido hippie chic. Purchase products for your pup that are made from sustainable, organic and/or recycled materials. There are many dog toys and beds that are made with organic cotton available. For example, you can find collars and leashes that are made from au natural hemp.

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Study suggests years of kinship have developed empathy

San Francisco, CA — (SBWIRE) — 04/12/2013 — Many humans believe their dog shows a bit of a guilty face at times, though science has proven we likely more often project our own belief of such an emotion on our best friends. Still, it seems that humans do have an ability to recognize more realistic emotions in our dogs, according to a new study.

Scientists believe that humans may have developed a natural empathy with dogs that has evolved as the two species developed side by side for nearly 100,000 years.

The new study has found that humans are able to identify precise emotional ranges in dogs based upon slight movements in their facial expression. The human mind is naturally attuned to note specific within their pets to know how they are feeling, and can correctly spot when a particular animal is happy, sad, angry, scared, or even surprised (guilty, as mentioned before, seems to be more a projection).

Volunteers were given an opportunity to show this ability in humans as they were given a range of different images of the same dog. The volunteers were able to detect the exact emotion of the animal by facial expression.

Dr Tina Bloom, a psychologist who led the research, said: “There is no doubt that humans have the ability to recognize emotional states in other humans and accurately read other humans’ facial expressions.”

She continued: “We have shown humans are also able to accurately – if not perfectly – identify at least one dog’s facial expressions. Although humans often think of themselves as disconnected or even isolated from nature, our study suggests there are patterns that connect, and one of these is in the form of emotional communication.”

The study has been published in the journal Behavioral Processes, and used the images of a police dog named Mal for the range of emotions.

About Hollywood.DPetHotels.com
Hollywood Pet Hotels (http://hollywood.dpethotels.com) provide the very best in high-quality hollywood pet hotel that will let you enjoy your travel or busy work day without concern for your friends well being. Learn about the quality services at affordable pricing today.

This article, New Study Shows Humans Can Detect Dog Emotions, is syndicated from SBWire and is posted here with permission.

Photo courtesy of AfroDad

 

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NORWALK, Conn., April 10, 2013 . . . America’s best cities for people traveling with pets have been ranked and compiled in a list released today by priceline.com (Nasdaq: PCLN).  The cities were ranked according to their number of pet-friendly hotels, off-leash dog parks and walkability.

 The top ten cities on the list are:

 1)      Albuquerque, NM

2)      Portland, OR

3)      Tucson, AZ

4)      Tampa, FL

5)      Indianapolis, IN

6)      Salt Lake City, UT

7)      Austin, TX

8)      Tulsa, OK

9)      Louisville, KY

10)  San Francisco, CA

“People love their pets and many can’t imagine traveling without them. But not all cities and hotels are created equal when it comes to accommodating four-legged friends,” said priceline.com’s Chief Marketing Officer Brett Keller. “We’ve created this list as a guide to help travelers find the best experiences no matter who’s along for the ride.”

Rankings were based on the number of hotels within Priceline.com’s network of Express Deals(sm) hotels that are listed as “pet friendly,” the number of off-leash dog parks per hundred thousand residents (source: The Trust for Public Land www.tpl.org), and the walkability as measured by Walk Score™ of each city.

Photo courtesy of City of Albuquerque

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On Tuesday, April 9 Miss New York USA Joanne Nosuchinsky visited the ASPCA’s Adoption Center in NYC where she “styled” shelter dogs in celebration of the 16^th Annual ASPCA Bergh Ball (taking place Thursday, April 11). There, Miss New York USA bestowed furry VIPs with sparkling pieces from the Tender Voices™ jewelry collection from Firestar Diamonds, which benefits the ASPCA, and visited with loving cats and dogs throughout the afternoon.

The 16^th Annual ASPCA Bergh Ball, which draws a passionate and distinguished crowd of animal lovers, including community leaders and celebrities, will take place on April 11 at The Plaza in NYC. The theme of this year’s Bergh Ball is “Animal Kingdom.”

Photo: ASPCA: Courtesy of the ASPCA

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Recently we learned about Tracks, a 5 month old pup from Leech Lake Reservation that was found as a stray. Sadly, the pup could not walk no matter how hard she tried. Here’s the scoop from rescue organization Leech Lake Legacy: 

“Tracks was picked up by the Leech Lake Animal Control officer and was taken in by Leech Lake Legacy on Saturday, 3/23, during a spay/neuter and vaccination clinic being held up at Leech Lake. Tracks was laying flat and lifeless in her crate. She was checked out by the Kindest Cut staff and given fluids and tested for heartworm (she tested negative) after which she perked up a little and ate some delicious turkey lunch meat. Tracks, however, still could not walk and had to be carried around.

She is currently in a temporary foster home with Jenna and getting pampered and loved and carried around. We took her to the vet for additional testing and evaluation on Monday, 3/25. At this point we are unsure as to what is causing her inability to walk. She responded normally to neurological testing and the vet does not feel any broken bones. It is heart breaking to watch this sweet girl look at you in frustration as she wants to move towards you but is unable to walk.”

Leech Lake Legacy put out an appeal for donations and also for prayers and loving, healing energy to be sent to little Tracks. Here’s what happened the next morning!

If you would like to donate toward Tracks’ continuing rehabilitation click here. Find out more about the wonderful work of Leech Lake Legacy  by visiting them on Facebook or on their website at LeechLakeLegacy.org

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