Pet-friendly shelters are still quite rare. Women’s shelters offer critical support for people fleeing violence, but they often struggle to accommodate pets. Studies show that fewer than 6 percent of shelters in Ontario allow clients to bring their animals.
Let us introduce you to ANOVA—a shelter that has become pet-friendly through partnerships with PAWS Canada and other community organizations. We hope ANOVA’s story inspires other shelters to follow suit and create a welcoming environment for both clients and their pets!
Why Bring Pets to a Shelter?
- Over 40% of women affected by intimate partner violence have pets at home.
- Among them, over 70% reported that their abuser threatened to harm their pets.
- More than 70% of these women consider delaying leaving the abusive situation out of fear of leaving their pets behind.
What Are the Benefits for Shelters to Be Pet-Friendly?
- Swift evacuation from the abusive environment as the client may be more willing to move.
- Better emotional well-being of clients makes reintegration easier. This is especially true for children, and backed by research.
- Encourages more support from the local community. Pet-friendly shelters often receive increased donations from animal lovers.
Overview of ANOVA
ANOVA, formerly known as the Sexual Assault Centre London and Women’s Community House, is a dedicated domestic violence agency in London providing a safe haven for individuals fleeing abuse. They operate two high-security shelters featuring single rooms for individuals and larger rooms for families. Each room is assigned to one client, eliminating the need to share accommodations.
In an exciting development in 2020, one of their shelters was officially transitioned into a pet-friendly facility, allowing both people and their beloved pets to find safety and comfort together.
How Was the Pet-Friendly Shelter Project Funded?
When ANOVA began transitioning to a pet-friendly shelter in 2019, PAWS supported individual clients with pets on a case-by-case basis. In 2020, PAWS and ANOVA teamed up and scored a $22k grant from PetSmart Charities for a project called “Preserving Families,” which specifically aimed to make the transition smooth and successful. This grant covered all the costs related to becoming pet-friendly.
Tips for Agencies: Start small and team up with PAWS! We’re here to help with individual cases, arrange medical treatments, and if you’re looking to make a bigger commitment, we can also assist with grant applications. Read more here about how to connect with PAWS
How Does the Intake Process Work?
When ANOVA receives a request from a woman or family in need of shelter due to abuse, the intake process begins. When the pet first arrives at ANOVA, there’s a “segregation period” during which the pets are kept in their caregivers room, until they are medically cleared at the vet.
To keep this segregation as short as possible, scheduling a quick vet appointment is essential. Thanks to PAWS’ partnership with East Village Animal Hospital (EVAH), a not-for-profit clinic supporting low-income pet owners, ANOVA staff typically arrange a vet appointment within 24-48 hours of the pet’s arrival.
Once a wellness check is completed to make sure all safety requirements are met, pets are allowed to enter communal areas at the shelter as long as they are kept on leash and with no behavioral issues.
Tips for Agencies: If space is an issue during the segregation period—for example, when the client shares a room with others—consider dedicating one of the communal rooms (such as a storage room) as a holding area for pets awaiting their vet appointment.
What Procedures Are Needed at the Vet? How Much Do They Cost?
Before our furry friends can move into the shelter’s communal living spaces, they need to check off a few essential boxes:
- Wellness check
- Up-to-date vaccinations
- Parasite/Flea treatment (if needed)
- Spay/neuter procedures (if needed)
These steps are critical to ensure hygiene and safety for everyone at the shelter. Preventing infectious hazards or contaminations, such as fleas, ticks, parasites, and infectious diseases, is a top priority for a pet-friendly facility.
Now, let’s talk costs! Throughout ANOVA’s project year, these intake treatments averaged around $100 per pet (whether cats or dogs), thanks to our fantastic non-profit partner, EVAH. But heads up, prices can vary at different clinics, so finding the right partnership is key for community agencies. If your agency needs some guidance, PAWS is here to help!
And remember, sometimes wellness checks uncover surprise issues that need attention. During ANOVA’s project, we had two such cases: one dog with a hernia complication and another diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. In both cases, ANOVA and PAWS stepped in to cover the extra medical expenses, ranging from $100 to $400.
Tips for Agencies: Medical bills can be predictable (e.g., intake treatments) or unpredictable (e.g., complications and emergencies). Partnering with local vet clinics is key to keeping things running smoothly. Reach out ahead of time, build those relationships, and discuss costs and payment methods before the need arises.
What happens after the intake? How to create safe spaces for both people and animals?
Once the pet and their family are reunited at the shelter, it’s expected that owners will take good care of their pets. However, ANOVA knows it’s ultimately the agency’s responsibility to keep the facility safe, clean, and healthy for everyone. So, ANOVA has taken proactive measures to ensure just that, including:
- Periodically distributing flea and tick protection medications
- Installing pet-friendly flooring
- Creating enclosed dog-run spaces
- Educating owners and staff on animal welfare and behavior
- Asking for donations of pet supplies (litter, carriers, toys, etc.)
During our project year, PAWS stepped in to help ANOVA by purchasing flea protection and other pet supplies, advising on installing pet-friendly flooring, and providing handouts on dog body language basics. PAWS also coordinated with animal specialists to educate staff on animal welfare and behavior: we gathered the names of local dog trainers willing to donate their time so that ANOVA could organize educational sessions for their staff.
For ANOVA’s project, a few initial training sessions were enough to get staff up to speed on pet basics. This not only served as a safety measure but also made staff feel comfortable having pets around the shelter and enforcing pet-specific rules. Plus, these sessions ensured ANOVA made all necessary effort for liability purposes.
Tips for Agencies considering a pet-friendly shelter: Some of these investments are pricier but one-time (ex. flooring, dog-runs, and initial training), while others are more affordable but recurring (ex. flea and tick protection). Plan your budget accordingly when applying for a grant.
So, can the pets live in any room?
At ANOVA, they opted to reserve a select number of rooms for individuals and families with pets. This decision aimed to streamline cleaning efforts and address potential allergy and ventilation concerns for other residents.
However, this approach does come with a drawback—it reduces available spots for pet owners. Nonetheless, ANOVA remained accommodating to furry companions, welcoming a total of ten clients with pets throughout the year.
Call to Action
Pet-friendly community agencies are still quite rare, but the need for them is significant. If ANOVA’s journey has inspired you, consider taking steps to make your facility more species-inclusive.
For guidance and support, reach out to PAWS. We’re here to help you through every step of the process, from supporting individual clients to assisting with grant applications. Contact us at apply@pawscanada.ca to start your journey towards creating a fur-tastic future for both people and their pets!
