A special program in Rockland County is helping victims of domestic violence find safety by providing a temporary home for their pets.

Paws for Safety is run by the Hudson Valley Humane Society and the Center for Safety and Change. It allows victims to temporarily leave their pet somewhere safe, while they flee their homes to find safety themselves.

"We provide any and all necessary vet care for the animal. We put it in a safe, appropriate housing situation," says AnnMarie Guadio, of the Hudson Valley Humane Society.

Since most shelters do not allow animals, coordinators consider the program a life-saver not only for the person fleeing, but for the animal as well.

"It's estimated that about a million pets are killed or injured every year in domestic violence-related incidents," says Andrea Panjwani, of the Center for Safety and Change.

The program is free for a survivor in need and is designed to reunite them with their pets once they're safe.

Paws for Safety coordinators says the program is open to all household and farm animals, not just cats and dogs.