The Safe Haven Program is a partnership between the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, Unity House and Equinox Inc. The goal of the partnership is to eliminate barriers that prevent survivors from leaving abusers and to educate the community about the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence.

Did You Know? 

• One in four women and one in seven men will be a victim of domestic violence in his or her lifetime
• More than 95 million U.S. households include companion animals as pets
• In one survey, up to 89% of survivors entering domestic violence shelters discussed incidences of pet abuse in the family
• 24 people per minute experience domestic violence
• Intimate partner violence affects over 12 million people per year
• 48% of survivors with pets said they would have left sooner if they had a place to bring their pet

You should be concerned if your partner:

• Threatens you, a child or a pet with violence
• Hits, punches, slaps, kicks or shoves you, your child or your pet
• Prevents you from seeing or speaking to friends and family
• Controls all of your finances 
• Tells you where to go, what to do and how to dress
• Destroys sentimental items
• Humiliates you, especially in front of others
• Calls you derogatory racial or sexual names
• Forces you to have sex when you don't want to 
• Abuses animals in front of you or a child
• Displays any disturbing treatment of animals 

Who is eligible for the Safe Haven program? 

All pets that are taken into the program must belong to survivors who are currently in the domestic violence sheltering programs offered by Unity House or Equinox. MHHS does not accept any animals into the program unless they are referred by one of those agencies.

How does the program work?

MHHS works collaboratively with Domestic Violence Programs in the area to ensure survivors and their pets will be safe. Survivors of domestic violence must first contact Equinox or Unity House to enter the program. Once pets are brought into the program, they are housed in a secure and confidential location. There is no cost to the owner for any of these services.

For immediate assistance:

Rensselaer County: call the Unity House 24-hour hotline at 518.272.2370
Albany County: call the Equinox 24-hour hotline at 518.432.7865

For more information about the Safe Haven program, please call the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society at 518.434.8128.

To support the program:

DONATE HERE