In Transition With You

Studies show that women often put off leaving an abusive relationship in fear of what will happen to their beloved animals once they are no longer around. Thanks to Safe For Pets Too: In Transition With You, New Brunswick women will no longer have to worry.

Safe For Pets Too launched on February 9, 2011, to provide temporary shelter and veterinary care for pets of women who are leaving an abusive relationship and who have concerns about the safety of their animals.  Sheltering is provided through animal hospitals, animal shelters and private homes, giving animals a place to be taken care of for up to 30 days while the owner searches for pet-friendly housing.

This service is available for a wide variety of pets from dogs and cats, to cows and horses. Women can access the program through transition houses, domestic violence outreach offices or the police/RCMP during an emergency.  Pets are transported by an NBSPCA officer, and will be examined by a veterinarian before being placed in temporary foster care. While the pet is in the care of their foster families they will be well treated and safe from the possibility of being hurt in an act of revenge. The New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries will provide any veterinary treatment needed in the case of farm animals.

Safe For Pets Too provides abused women in New Brunswick with a critical service, while highlighting the bond between people and their pets and the link between animal abuse and family violence. Development and administration of the program is a cooperative effort of many different individuals and agencies. Committee members represent the New Brunswick SPCA, New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association (NBVMA), police, New Brunswick Chiefs of Police Association, New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, transition houses, outreach offices, Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick, as well as many individuals.

NBVMA has been extremely supportive of this program, with many members willing to provide complimentary examinations, vaccinations, parasite control and sometimes fostering.  A seed grant has also been provided by the NBVMA to provide funding for additional veterinary care in cases where the owner is financially constrained.

For more information on the Safe For Pets Too program, please contact us by email at: safeforpetstoo@gmail.com