The grant awarded to the Guelph Humane Society coincides with women abuse prevention month
After receiving a $13,500 grant from PetSmart Charities of Canada, the Guelph Humane Society in collaboration with Community Veterinary Outreach and Women in Crisis, is able to offer a new Pets in Transition program.
The program will provide pet care for women escaping violent situations for up to three months. Although violence might only be considered a threat to women and children, violence against family pets can be a risk factor for domestic violence and even intimate partner homicide in extreme cases, according to the Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee Risk Factor Coding Form.
Violence against pets is a signal to remove oneself from the cohabited accommodation, which puts women in a difficult situation, according to the Risk Factor Coding Form. A woman needs to thus abandon her already victimized and abused pets to protect herself, or she is forced to find a shelter that allow animals, which can be dangerous or difficult. Taking time to do additional research can allow for an abuser to further perpetuate abuse, or if the abuser finds that the victim is attempting to leave, which could be possible through a search history, the victim’s vulnerability can be increased.
With this program, accommodation for pets is managed, allowing women to focus on their protection and their loved ones, whether they are human or animal. As the needs of some pets can differ from others, this program caters to the distinct needs of these pets with foster caregivers who have specialized training for animals who have experienced violence.
In addition to this specialized placement, this grant allows the Guelph Humane Society to provide high-quality pet food and preventative and emergency veterinary care for these pets.
Dani LaGiglia, regional relationship manager of PetSmart Charities of Canada, said in a press release that “[PetSmart Charities] believe in the importance of preserving the human-animal bond, no matter what life challenges or circumstances pet parents may be facing. Thanks to the leadership of the Guelph Humane Society and its partners, women in the Guelph region can rest assured that they and their pets can escape abuse together and begin to heal side by side.”
Photo courtesy of Flickr