PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Danielle Emery, Director of People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) at Urban Resource Institute (URI), on Pet-Inclusive Domestic Violence Shelters
3:06:20
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132 sec
Danielle Emery, Director of PALS at URI, testified about the importance of pet-inclusive domestic violence shelters and the challenges faced by survivors with pets. She highlighted URI's pioneering role in welcoming pets into DV shelters and emphasized the need for more accessible shelter options for survivors with animals.
- 50% of survivors won't leave abusive situations if they can't bring their pets
- Current process for emotional support animals in shelters is lengthy and burdensome
- Single survivors with pets face significant barriers in accessing appropriate shelter options
Danielle Emery
3:06:20
Good afternoon, council members.
3:06:21
My name is Danielle Emery.
3:06:23
I'm the director of the people and animals living safely or pals program at Urban Resource Institute.
3:06:28
Pals welcome survivors of domestic violence into 10 of your eyes 15 DV shelters.
3:06:34
Serving more than 100 heads of households and close to 150 animals per year.
3:06:38
URI was the 1st shelter provider in New York City to welcome pets into our facilities.
3:06:42
And 11 years later, we are among a handful of organizations that provide this service.
3:06:47
Multiple studies have shown that 50% of survivors state they will not leave an abusive situation if they cannot bring their pets with them.
3:06:54
Survivors in those facing all type of types of crises, including natural disasters, see their pets as family members, People will not access shelter, evacuate, or seek safety if it means separating from their pets.
3:07:06
Shelter needs to be accessible to survivors and their entire families, animals included.
3:07:11
Many survivors choose to obtain emotional support animal documentation to act as shelter and stay together with their pets through protection provided by the Fair Housing Act.
3:07:20
They must then fill out paperwork and wait 10 to 14 days for a DHS determination as to whether their ESA will be allowed into shelter.
3:07:27
This weight is more frequently closer to 1 month.
3:07:30
This is not a reasonable amount of time to ask a person in crisis to make alternate care arrangements for a beloved family member.
3:07:37
All shelters should be accommodating of pets to reduce barriers to safety and increase access to shelter.
3:07:42
We New York City is also not doing enough to help single survivors of domestic violence with pets.
3:07:48
This is by far the largest group we hear from among the nearly 500 people who contact us each year seeking shelter with their animals.
3:07:55
If singles are able to access DV shelter, their time in that system is tightly monitored, and the vast majority are not able to find permanent housing before being discharged.
3:08:04
The expectation is that these clients will go to DHS's single assessment centers, but this is not an option for those pets for those with pets or even with approved ESAs.
3:08:14
Most singles we assist through the PAS program end up returning to their abusers or other unsafe situations.
3:08:19
The New York City shelter system creates significant barriers for people whose pets may
Jennifer Gutiérrez
3:08:24
be one of the life
Danielle Emery
3:08:25
sources of love during their toughest times.
3:08:28
We will submit some recommendations with our written testimony, and I thank you for your time and consideration.
