Ontario's [url=http://www.ovma.org/pet_owners/safepet.html]SafePet Program[/url]
SafePet is dedicated to assisting women in leaving abusive partners by providing temporary housing and care for their pets.
Many women at risk of abuse are reluctant to leave their abusive partners and seek help at a women’s shelter if it means leaving their beloved pet behind with the abuser. Making that final decision to leave an abusive partner is a vital one; through SafePet, not only can women make this decision, they can make it more quickly and with ease.
48% of surveyed Ontario women who had left their abusive partner said that their pets delayed their decision to leave an abusive partner. *
61% of surveyed Ontario women who had left their abusive partner stated that their partners had brutalized or killed a pet. *
(*OSPCA 1998)
How Does SafePet Work?
1) Volunteers (Pet Foster Parents) from across the province are working with their local VAW shelter and offering to take in pets that belong to women who are residents of VAW shelters. The Pet Foster Parents will provide pets with food, shelter and appropriate exercise so that women at risk of abuse can stay in safety in the shelters and try to find longer-term arrangements for their pets.
2) Volunteering Ontario veterinarians are providing assistance to SafePet by being a neutral location where the pet owner can drop off their pet before staying in a VAW shelter and Pet Foster Parents can pick the pet up after the veterinarian has completed an exam and any needed vaccinations.