Preparation for Safety Fund

To enable families to remain safe and together over the long term, this fund supports those who are fleeing violence or are temporarily unable to care for their pets by subsidizing the cost of medical care, where this care is a prerequisite for the animal finding safety (as spay/neuter, up-to-date vaccinations and a base level of stable health are a requirement for any animal entering a shelter, foster care or kennel).

Addresses PAWS Strategic Objective #2: Provide funding to enable appropriate temporary care for companion animals should their owners be in crisis (e.g., seeking refuge from an abusive relationship; temporary lack of housing; hospitalization for physical or mental care, etc). 

Spay/neuter, up-to-date vaccinations and a base level of stable health are a requirement for any animal entering a shelter, foster care or a kennel. To enable families to remain safe and together over the long term, this fund aims to help those fleeing violence by subsidizing the cost of spay/neuter, vaccinations and essential medical care for any animal whose owner is fleeing violence of any kind, where the care is a prerequisite for the animal finding safety. Where foster care is lacking and the situation is urgent, PAWS may use these funds to help cover the cost of emergency professional boarding while their owner finds other solutions. 

Covered by this fund: 

  • Spays 
  • Neuters 
  • Vaccinations 
  • Emergency medical care 
  • Boarding fees for up to 2 weeks

Open to requests from shelters, hospitals, SafePets Ontario and other community agencies dealing with people in crisis, whose companion animals need veterinary services before they can enter a foster, shelter or kennel. They must meet the application criteria specified below. 

Allowances of up to $250 per animal for veterinary care, and allowances of up to $250 per animal for professional boarding fees. All allowances are payable directly to the veterinary clinic or kennel in question, no funds shall be payable to the public to reimburse for already-incurred expenses. All allowances must be applied for and approved in advance of services occurring.