For the second year in a row, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy and the Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center have announced a successful Safe Haven pet supply drive during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. Safe Haven is a program run by the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. This year’s drive was online and donors were able to scan a QR code and have the items delivered directly to MHHS.

About 71% of pet owners entering domestic violence shelters report that their abuser had threatened, injured, or killed family pets and 85% of shelters report that they commonly encounter victims who speak about incidents with pets. So far this year, MHHS has housed 13 animals through the Safe Haven program (11 cats, 2 dogs), which is nearly double the number in 2021.

“We hope that this increased number indicates greater awareness of the Safe Haven program among community advocates and survivors,” said County Executive McCoy. “Our pets are a part of our family, so it is crucial that we shed light on this form of domestic violence.”