Pet parents who are victims of domestic abuse face an excruciating decision: Do they leave their abusers and their pets or stay to face more violence? Up to 50 percent of women in shelters report delaying their departure from their abusers because they feared for their pets’ safety.

Currently, only about 3 percent of domestic violence shelters accept pets. But that’s changing. A shelter directory from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence now lists information regarding pets. Some shelters arrange for veterinary clinics, animal shelters or foster families to house pets. But an increasing number are finding ways to keep pets and their humans together.

A state-of-the-art facility is being built in New York City to do just that. After all, people and their pets who’ve been through so much have a bond worth honoring.