Canadian humane societies unveil two innovative programs to help pets and people
Thursday, March 17, 2011The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies would like applaud two of our member organizations for recently introducing innovative and urgently needed programs to help pets and people.
As of last month, victims of domestic violence in New Brunswick now have a safe place to take their pets when leaving abusive homes, thanks to a new program headed by the New Brunswick SPCA. The “Safe For Pets Too” program is a result of collaboration by many organizations, including the provincial veterinary association, the RCMP and the New Brunswick SPCA. More information about the program is available here.
People in abusive relationships often delay leaving for fear of what would happen to pets left in the home with the abuser. That’s why, in 2009, the CFHS initiated a pilot project in the Ottawa area to help women escape abusive homes without having to leave their pets behind. We are very encouraged to see the Safe For Pets Too program now operating in New Brunswick. It provides an excellent model for similar services to be established in other provinces.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, the Regina Humane Society’s new mobile spay/neuter clinic hit the streets earlier this month. Through a partnership with the City of Regina, the humane society will use the clinic to provide low-cost pet spay and neuter services to low-income pet owners and animal rescue charities.
The mobile clinic (a first for Canada) will be used to host special “spay days” in low-income neighbourhoods throughout the city, bringing the service straight to where it’s needed most. The Regina Humane Society expects to spay or neuter about 3,000 animals this year with the clinic, helping to limit the growing number of unwanted animals in need of shelter every year.
More information on the clinic is available at the Regina Humane Society website here.
