Help for individuals leaving domestic abuse situations and needing care for their pets.

A significant barrier is created for victims of domestic abuse due to minimal pet friendly housing and resources for women fleeing domestic violence. In many cases, women who cannot find safe housing for their pets will delay leaving an abusive home.

Domestic violence pet foster programs for survivors of domestic violence help with one less component to worry about and one less barrier to prevent the abuse victims from leaving. The implimentation of pet-friendly residential housing in British Columbia would enable abuse survivors ready access to housing with their pets and lower the animal's abuse which is present in 89% of domestic violence cases.

There are programs that anyone in a domestic abuse situation with pets can reach out to for help with care of the animals and in some instances, assistance with finding resources.

The Vancouver Foundation was instrumental in helping a program for victims of domestic abuse find a safe place for their animals with a grant of $282,784.82 in 2021 to the BC SPCA. If you are in a domestic abuse situation and desperately want to leave then your pets can receive up to six months care with a foster family. Contact the Safekeepers Program at the BC SPCA for more information.

BC SPGA actively campaigns for pet-friendly housing and your support with an email to Premier Eby and the Housing Minister is greatly needed.

The No Pet Left Behind crisis foster care program overseen by the Paws For Hope Foundation provides temporary safe care for pets of individuals who are in crisis, including escaping violence by creating safety for people and their pets.

For anyone who can foster a pet, PAWS pays for the animal's support, food and veterinary care. Contact Cassie Preston, Program Manager at cassie@pawsforhope.org or 604-506-9297

Animal abuse is present in 89% of domestic violence cases.

Important Phone Numbers

• VictimLinkBC: 1-800-563-0808
• Battered Women's Support Services Crisis Line: 1-855-687-1868
• BC 24/7 Community and Social Services Helpline: 211
• Helpline for Children: 310-1234
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
• Reporting child abuse: 1-800-663-9122
• Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre: 1-877-392-7583
• Seniors Abuse and Information Line: 1-866-437-1940
• Youth Against Violence Line: 1-800-680-4264

The BC SPGA provides assistance to BC's animal and pet guardians who may find themselves in a crisis or hardship situation with the Guardian and Pets In Hardship program. Our services include providing information on shelters in British Columbia that accept domestic abuse survivors and their pets, references to women's centers and organizations and women's support and counselling services. We assist you until you and your pets are safe.

Public donations help the lives of the pets and animals irregardless of the misfortunes or unexpected circumstances of their guardians. Donations are crucial to help us to help others in the Guardian and Pets In Hardship program and public donations are gratefully accepted.