A new coalition of animal rescue groups is helping victims of domestic violence.
The Minnesota Pet Foster Coalition is looking for volunteers who will take in victims' pets for 72 hours while they find new shelter.
The Animal Humane Society's Tabitha Ewart says many have a hard time leaving their abusive situations because they're worried about their pets.
"Pets are often used as a way to control one's partner, either because of fear of harm coming to the animal, or fear of having to lose your animal," says Ewart.
Ewart says they had 430 requests for temporary pet housing last year alone, the majority of them from victims of domestic violence.
"Now, I will say that's for a variety of circumstances, not just domestic violence," Ewart explains. "But our biggest, I guess referring agency is Cornerstone. Most of our referrals come from Cornerstone which is a domestic violence shelter."
Foster providers will be given all of the supplies they need, and can choose to take in a pet for just the 72 hours, or for as long as 90 days while their owner seeks safety.