Counseling & Support

SafeLink

SafeLink is Massachusetts’ statewide 24/7 toll-free domestic violence hotline and a resource for anyone affected by domestic or dating violence.
Phone: 877-785-2020
Website: https://casamyrna.org/get-support/safelink/

Safe People Safe Pets

​​Safe People Safe Pets works to temporarily place animals while a survivor of domestic abuse is leaving the home and in transition. Safe People Safe Pets work with veterinarians, shelters and volunteer foster homes to provide a temporary safe home until the animal is able to be reclaimed. In order to receive pet fostering services from Safe People Safe Pets, the individual must have a domestic violence advocate call the number provided, on their behalf.
Phone: 617-999-3055​
Email: SafePeopleSafePets@yahoo.com
Website: https://www.safepeoplesafepets.org/

Pets Empower

PetsEmpower provides temporary pet fostering for people in crisis until they can be reunited with their furry companions. We enable people to move through crisis with the knowledge that their relationship with their pets will be preserved. To sign up for fostering services visit the Pets Empower website at https://petsempower.org/about-pet-fostering-process/.
Address: 124 Vernon Street Newton, MA 02458
Email: info@petsempower.org

MSPCA-Angell Safe Pet Program

Through the Safe Pet program, MSPCA-Angell provides temporary pet foster care for survivors of domestic violence. MSPCA-Angell will foster a pet for up to 2 weeks at their facility, with no domestic violence advocate required. MSPCA-Angell’s emergency room is located at 350 S Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.
Phone: 617-522-7400​
Website: https://www.mspca.org/

Elizabeth Freeman Center

The Elizabeth Freeman Center is an emergency, secure, home-like shelter. The Elizabeth Freeman center also offers pet foster care through a service called the “SafePet” program. Through the Berkshire Humane Society, the “SafePet” program provides foster care for pets if violence has interrupted their care and they need safety. In order to be eligible for the “SafePet” program, you must be a resident of Berkshire County and a client or patient with one of the Partnering Agencies – Elizabeth Freeman Center, The Brien Center, Elder Services of Berkshire County, Elder Protective Services in Berkshire County, or Berkshire Medical Center/Services.
EFC Pittsfield Office: 413-499-2425
Lindsay Hermanski, BHS’s SafePet Coordinator: 413-447-7878, ext. 128
Email: info@elizabethfreemancenter.org
Website: https://elizabethfreemancenter.org

PALS Place

PALS (People and Animals Living Safely) was established in 2013 to provide co-living options for families and their pets. The goal of the PALS program is to bring joy and comfort to children, individuals, and families seeking refuge at URI shelters by keeping families and their pets together. URI currently offers 66 units of domestic violence shelter across five residences that allow families and pets to live and heal together in the same apartment. PALS is located in New York City.
Phone: 646-588-0030
Website: https://urinyc.org/contact/

Clarina Howard Nichols Center

The Clarina Howard Nichols Center offers services such as a 24-hour hotline, advocacy and support services, legal advocacy, medical advocacy, housing advocacy, community advocacy, and an emergency shelter that offers Vermont’s only pet-friendly shelter. The Clarina Howard Nichols Center is located at 31 Lower Main Street, Morrisville, Vermont.
Phone: 802-888-5256
Website: https://clarina.org/

Genesis House Emergency Shelter

Genesis House provides a free, safe haven for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking. The shelter is handicapped-accessible and pet-friendly. The Genesis house is a part of Safe Futures, which is located in New London, CT. To receive services from Safe Futures you must be from one of the towns or cities located in New London, CT county.
Phone: 860-701-6000

RedRover Relief Safe Escape Grant

The RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant program helps families with pets safely escape domestic violence together. Funding is mainly provided to help with the cost of temporary pet boarding while a client is in a domestic violence shelter.
Phone: 916-429-2457
Email: info@redrover.org
Website: https://redrover.org/relief-dv/dv-safe-escape-grants/

Connecticut

Safe Futures

Safe Futures is the first emergency shelter in the State of Connecticut to provide safe housing for pets. The organization received a grant from Red Rover to upgrade its shelter to provide a more welcoming environment for pets. We accept pets in all of our residential programs and our emergency shelter. The Safe Futures hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
24-Hour Hotline: 860-701-6001
Statewide SafeConnect: 888-774-2900
Email: info@SafeFuturesCT.org
Website: https://safefuturesct.org/

Maine

Safe Voices

Safe Voices advocates and shelter staff want to work with victims of domestic abuse to keep their pets safe.
24/7 Helpline: 800-559-2927
Website: https://safevoices.org/

Next Step Domestic Violence Project

If you are fleeing domestic violence and need a safe, supportive place to stay, our free emergency shelter may be available for you, alone or with your children and pets.
24/7 Helpline: 800-315-5579
Website: https://www.nextstepdvproject.org/

Vermont

Clarina Howard Nichols Center

Clarina operates Vermont’s only companion pet-friendly shelter – a safe environment in which to explore options and identify next steps toward a life free of violence. We recognize that pets are an important emotional support to survivors and their children and may also be abused if they remain in the home.
Hotline: 802-888-5256
Business: 802-888-2584
Email: info@clarina.org
Website: https://clarina.org/

Surrounding Areas

Domestic Violence Advocacy Center in New Jersey

Providing Confidential Services & Support to Adults, Young Adults and Teens, including Friends & Families, impacted by Domestic Violence and Teen Dating Abuse.
Phone: 856-630-8642
Website: https://dvacenter.org/

Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center in New Jersey

The shelter is pet-friendly and has a kennel that consists of three units and can cater to house pets of different sizes. These units all have heating and cooling.
24/7 Helpline: 908-453-4181
Website: http://www.dasacc.org/

Other Shelters In the United States

Sheltering Animals and Families Together "SAF-T Program"

Dakin Humane Society/Safety Plan for Animals
171 Union Street, Springfield, Mass.
Phone: 413-781-4000​
Website: https://www.dakinhumane.org/about-dakin.html

Womanshelter Companeras
Holyoke, Mass.
Phone: 877.536.1628​

Phinney’s Friends
Phone: 617-979-8705
Website: https://www.phinneys.org/

Massachusetts Animal Coalition - Pets and Domestic Violence

Animal Welfare Institute - Safe Havens

Massachusetts Law About Animals

• "A Snowflake in My Hand" - Samantha Mooney, Delta, 1989.
• "Kindred Spirit, Kindred Care: Making Health Decisions on Behalf of our Animal Companions" - Shannon Fujimoto Nakaya, DVM, New World Library, 2005.
• "Pets Living with Cancer" - Robin Downing, DVM, American Animal Hospital Association, 2000.
• "Preparing for the Loss of Your Pet: Saying Goodbye with Love, Dignity and a Peace of Mind" - Myrna Milani, Prima Lifestyles Publishing, 1998.
• "Surviving the Heartbreak of Choosing Death for Your Pet: Your Personal Guide for Dealing with Pet Euthanasia" - Linda Mary Peterson, Greentree Publishing, 1997.
• "The Final Farewell: Preparing for and Mourning the Loss of your Pet" - Marty Tousley & Katherine Heurman, Pals Publishing, 1997.
• "Without Regret: A Handbook for Owners of Canine Amputees" - Susan Neal, Doral Publishing, 2002.

Books/Audio Recording for Adults Coping with the Loss of a Companion Animal

• "A 30-day Guide to Healing from the Loss of Your Pet" - Gael J. Ross, LCSW, Broken Heart Press, 2010.
• "Bill at Rainbow Bridge" - Dan Carrison, Modern Family Classics Publishing, 2010.
• "Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates" - Gary Kurz, Citadel, 2008.
• "Coping with Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet" - Moira Anderson Allen, Dog Ear Publishing, LLC, 2007.
• "Coping with the Loss of a Pet" - Christina Lemieux, W.R. Clark, 1992.
• "Crossing the Rubicon: Celebrating the Human-Animal Bond in Life and Death" - Julie Kaufman, Xenophone Publications, 1999.
• Eden Publications Pet Loss Grief and Support
• "Forever in My Heart: Remembering my Pet’s Life" - Herb & Mary Montgomery, Montgomery Press, 2000.
• "Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die" - Jon Katz, Villard/Random House Publishing, 2011.
• "Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet" - Gary Kowalski, New World Library, 2006.
• "Goodbye My Friend" - Herb & Mary Montgomery, Montgomery Press, 2001.
• "Grieving the Death of a Pet" - Betty Carmack, Augbburg Fortress Publishers, 2003.
• "It’s Okay to Cry: Warm Compassionate Stories that Help You Find Hope and Healing after the Death of a Beloved Pet" - Maria Luz Quintana, Shari Veleba, & Harley King, K & K Communications, 2000.
• "Journey Through Pet Loss" - Deborah Antinori, Yoko Spirit Publications, 1998, Audio Recording.
• "Legacies of Love: A Gentle Guide to Healing from the Loss of your Animal Loved One" - Theresa Wagner, Matters of the Heart, 1998, Audiobook.
• "My Personal Pet Remembrance Journal" - Enid Samuel Traisman, Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital, 1997.

Books for Children Experiencing Loss

• "A Dog Like Jack" - Dyanne DiSalvo-Ryan, Holiday House, 1999.
• "A Special Place for Charlee: A Child's Companion Through Pet Loss" - Debra Morehead, Partners in Publishing LLC, 1996.
• "Badger’s Parting Gifts" - Susan Varley, Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1984.
• "Cat Heaven" - Cynthia Rylant, Scholastic, 1997.
• "Dog Heaven" - Cynthia Rylant, Scholastic, 1995.
• "For Every Cat an Angel" - Christine Davis, Lighthearted Press, 2000.
• "For Every Dog an Angel" - Christine Davis, Lighthearted Press, 2003.
• "Goodbye Mousie" - Robie Harris, Simon and Schuster Children's, 2001.
• "I’ll Always Love You" - Hans Wilhelm, Dragonfly Books, 1988.
• "I Remember: A Book About My Special Pet" - Herb and Mary Montgomery, Montgomery Press, 2000. (Journal/Workbook/Scrapbook)
• "Jasper’s Day" - Marjorie Blain Parker, Kids Can Press, 2002.
• "My Pet Died" - Rachel Biale, Tricycle Press, 1997. (A journal/scrapbook.)
• "Remembering Pets: A Book For Children who have Lost a Special Friend" - Gina Dalpre-Berman, Robert D. Reed Publishers, 2001.
• "Remembering My Pet" - Nechama Liss-Levinson & Molly Phinney-Baskette, Skylight Paths Publishing, 2007.(Journal/Workbook/Scrapbook)
• "Tear Soup" - Pat Schwiebert & Chuck DeKlyen, Perinatal Loss, 2001.
• "The Dead Bird" - Margaret Brown, Harper Collins, 1995.
• "The Legend of the Rainbow Bridge" - William N. Britton, Savannah Publishing, 1994.
• "The Tenth Good Thing About Barney" - Judith Viorst, Aladdin Books, 1987.
• "Tough Boris" - Mem Fox, Harcourt, 1998
• "When a Pet Dies" - Fred Rogers, The Putnam and Grosset Group, 1998.
• “The Invisible Leash”- Patrice Karst, 2019