Women’s shelter, SPCA unveil joint pet care program

By Jeremy Appel on September 18, 2018.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel

The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society and SPCA are reminding the public that having a pet shouldn’t be a barrier to leaving an abusive relationship.

Beginning in April 2017, the organizations teamed up to ensure women staying at the shelter could bring their pets to be put in the care of the SPCA through the Pet Safekeeping Program.

Peggy Revell, MHWSS community education and awareness co-ordinator, says people often don’t realize the impact a pet can have on a woman’s decision to stay or go from an abusive domestic situation.

“Pets mean the world to us,” said Revell. “Whether it’s your dog or your cat, your animal is there to love and support you. It’s always unconditional love.

“For people who are in an abusive situation, it can be very difficult to leave knowing that you’ll also be leaving your pet behind.”

According to an SPCA survey from 2012, 59 per cent of abused women who had pets delayed their decision to leave based on concern for the animal’s well being, while 36 per cent said their abuser threatened to harm the animal.

When the MHWSS begins the intake process for their safe house, part of the screening inquires about pets.

“If you they do have animals, we start the process where we work with the SPCA so that the animal is taken into care for a period of time,” said Revell.

Threats to pets is one way an abuser exerts “power and control” over the abused, she added.

Although the MHWSS focuses its efforts on the abused individual, Revell says “there is a known connection” between abusing animals and abusing human beings.

“If you’re willing to hurt somebody, you’re also generally willing to hurt a defenceless animal,” she said.

For more information on the program, including a pet safety plan, visit mhwss.ca/pets.html.

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