NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
Roughly 30 people and their dogs gathered Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 at Kin Coulee to walk during Family Violence Prevention Month.
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@MHNmocranker
Around 30 people gathered at Kin Coulee Park Saturday for a pet walk in support of the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society.
It was the fifth consecutive year the shelter held the event to raise awareness for family pets during Family Violence Prevention Month.
“We want to raise the issue of domestic violence and how pets are involved,” said executive director Natasha Carvalho.
Many families who visit the shelter have pets, which is sometimes why people stay in abusive situations, says Carvalho.
“This is why we’ve teamed up with the SPCA,” she said. “If a family has a pet they’re scared of leaving, the SPCA will take them in if they have the space to do so.
“For a lot of people it’s like leaving a kid behind and they just can’t do it – this program allows them to get safe and to know their pets are safe, too.”
Carvalho says she was happy to see the community’s support for the event.
“It’s always great to see,” she said. “We got great weather today and we’re looking forward to the walk.”
