GHS is helping to keep people and pets together with new Pets In Transition Program

[NEWS RELEASE] This Program made possible thanks to a $13,500 grant from PetSmart Charities® of Canada, and the collaboration of key community partners in social services and veterinary care. Guelph, ON (November 6, 2018)– Guelph Humane Society recently received a $13,500 grant from PetSmart Charities of Canada, one of the nation’s leading funders of animal welfare and the human animal bond. When women and their families are experiencing domestic violence, having a pet can add an extra layer of complexity and concern.  Domestic violence and animal abuse often co-occur. Yet, very few domestic violence shelters in Canada allow pets, so many women leaving abuse face a difficult choice – stay in a violent home to take care of their animals or leave them behind. With the help of this new grant, Guelph Humane Society, in collaboration with Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO) and Women in Crisis (WIC), is able to offer an innovative Pets in Transition Program.  The new program provides confidential foster care for the pets of women fleeing from violent situations for up to 3 months – thereby helping survivors and their companion animals to find a safe haven away from abuse. This unique program supports women experiencing abuse by making sure that everyone in the home, both human and animal, has a safe place to escape to, stay and begin to heal. The Guelph Humane Society takes in pets and places them with foster caregivers who have undergone specialized training in caring for animals who may have experienced violence. Thanks to the generosity of PetSmart Charities, the program will also provide everyday pet care items and services like high-quality pet food and preventative and emergency veterinary care if required. “We are very appreciative to PetSmart Charities of Canada for their generous grant. With their support, we can help ensure that those leaving domestic violence as well as their pets are kept safe. The Pets in Transition program helps bring comfort to families by knowing that their pets are well-cared for and loved, so that they can focus on their recovery and healing, with the assurance that they will be re-united once again,” said Lisa Veit, Associate Director, Guelph Humane Society. “At PetSmart Charities of Canada, we believe in the importance of preserving the human-animal bond, no matter what life challenges or circumstances pet parents may be facing,” says Dani LaGiglia, regional relationship manager at the organization.  “Thanks to the leadership of the Guelph Humane Society and its partners, women in the Guelph region can rest assured that they and their pets can escape abuse together and begin to heal side by side.” Pet retention is just one of PetSmart Charities of Canada’s seven grant categories.  Funding from PetSmart Charities of Canada supports animal welfare organizations and non-profits committed to reducing pet homelessness and enhancing the human-animal bond.  For more information, visit www.PetSmartCharities.ca.

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About Guelph Humane Society: The Guelph Humane Society advocates for all animals, and in particular those animals whose lives we can influence, through care, education, community support, protection, and leadership. Founded in 1893, the Guelph Humane Society provides care and shelter for approximately 3,000 homeless, stray, injured and abused animals each year. GHS is a registered charitable, non-profit organization that does not receive government funding. Follow our animals and other news here: Twitter: @GuelphHumane Facebook: @GuelphHumaneSociety Instagram: @the_ghs     About PetSmart Charities® of Canada: PetSmart® Charities of Canada is committed to finding lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across Canada, PetSmart Charities of Canada helps to find forever homes and families for more than 25,000 shelter pets each year. PetSmart Charities of Canada also provides grant funding to registered Canadian charities aligned with its mission under four key areas of support: Preventing Pet Homelessness; Helping Shelter Pets Thrive; Supporting the Bond Between People and Pets and Providing Emergency Relief and Disaster Support. Each year, more than 500,000 generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities of Canada using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities of Canada efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as a leading funder of animal welfare in Canada, granting more than $14 million since its inception in 1999. PetSmart Charities of Canada is a registered Canadian charity, a member of Imagine Canada and is independent from the PetSmart business in Canada. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.ca Follow PetSmart Charities on Twitter: @PetSmartChariTs Find PetSmart Charities on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/PetSmartCanada See PetSmart Charities on YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc Media Contact: 24-Hour PetSmart Charities Media Line:  623-587-2177 Guelph Humane Society: Melissa Stolz Volunteer & Animal Program Coordinator Guelph Humane Society 519-824-3091 mstolz@guelphhumane.ca   Lisa Veit Associate Director Guelph Humane Society 519-824-3091 lveit@guelphhumane.ca   Community Veterinary Outreach: Shane Bateman Regional Veterinary Co-Director Community Veterinary Outreach 519-400-5928 shane.bateman@vetoutreach.org   Guelph Wellington Women in Crisis: Jacinta Cassidy Program Manager Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis 519-836-6831 ext. 229 jacinta@gwwomenincrisis.org