SafePet Ontario

Congratulations to Link Coalition Toronto, and thank you for all the work you do to help people and pets!

Due to overwhelming demand in the province's underserved areas, SafePet Ontario is looking for veterinary practices in northern Ontario to join its list of participating clinics. To learn more about your role as a SafePet Ontario veterinary partner or to register your clinic, visit safepet.ca/how-to-help-veterinarians to register or learn more.

To raise more awareness, we're asking our SafePet Ontario community to join us in spreading the word about our program. By liking our page and sharing our posts, you'll help provide those experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence with the information they need to find safety for themselves and their pets. To learn more about the SafePet Ontario program, visit safepet.ca.

DYK: 89 per cent of pets involved in situations of domestic or intimate partner violence are also abused. Unfortunately, many human shelters are unable to house animals, which prevents many victims from seeking safety. SafePet Ontario aims to fill this gap by coordinating foster care for the pets of survivors, so that individuals at risk of abuse can transition to safety without having to worry about their pet’s well-being. Humane societies and pet foster volunteers can help by providing safe, temporary place for a pet to stay. This #ChangeAPetsLifeDay, visit safepet.ca to learn how you can help.

More than half of women experiencing situations of domestic or intimate partner violence delay leaving their partner or don't leave at all because they’re afraid to leave their pet behind at the hands of their abuser. SafePet Ontario removes this barrier and helps people and pets find safety sooner by coordinating foster care for the pets of individuals fleeing domestic violence. To learn more about SafePet Ontario, how to access our services or how you can help, visit safepet.ca.

If you're fleeing domestic or intimate partner violence and would like to enroll your pet in the SafePet Ontario program, you'll need to speak directly with an authorized referral, such as a shelter worker, caseworker or a member of law enforcement who is assisting in your transition to safety. If the authorized referral is unaware of the program, ask them to visit safepet.ca/case-worker-information-form to fill out the online form. If you already have a referral from an authorized organization, you can apply for help by visiting safepet.ca/seeking-assistance-i-need-help.

If you're in the Toronto area, here are five organizations that can help you leave a violent or abusive relationship, including Link Coalition Toronto, which is part of our SafePet Ontario network. https://torontolife.com//groups-help-leave-abusive-relat/

Are you making a #NewYears resolution list? Volunteering as a SafePet Ontario foster parent might be a great opportunity for you! By registering to foster a pet, you'll help a survivor and their pet establish a life free from violence. To learn more about SafePet Ontario and how to become a foster, visit safepet.ca.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still having an impact on our daily lives, it's important to acknowledge that there are many people experiencing very difficult situations. Here's a reminder about how you may be able to help:

The holidays can often be difficult for those in situations of domestic or intimate partner violence. As a SafePet Ontario foster parent, you can help a survivor in your community by providing safety for their pet while they seek shelter. This holiday season, consider signing up to become a foster family - visit safepet.ca/pet-foster-parent.

This #NationalPhilanthropyDay, we're recognizing the commitment and generosity of our foster families, veterinarians, volunteers, shelter partners and donors. Thanks to your support, SafePet Ontario can help domestic violence survivors find safety with their pet sooner. Help us thank the incredible individuals who contribute to SafePet Ontario's success by commenting "thank you!" below.

Thank you to PetSmart Charities for supporting the SafePet Ontario program with a $55,000 grant! Grant funds will be used to expand the SafePet Ontario program to more communities across the province, and help more people and their pets find safety sooner. bit.ly/3kZqb8a

Over the past few months, SafePet Ontario has received an influx of enrolment requests. To ensure that everyone has access to help, please consider joining our foster family network. By offering your home to a pet in need, you'll also be providing a survivor with an opportunity to live a life without violence. Sign up to become a foster parent today by visiting safepet.ca/pet-foster-parent.

Another common question SafePet Ontario receives is about how we screen foster parents to ensure they're a good fit for a survivor's pet. Here's how:

Do you work for a veterinary clinic in Hamilton or Brantford? Consider joining SafePet Ontario's network of veterinary teams to help your community's domestic abuse survivors find safety with their pet. Visit safepet.ca/how-to-help-veterinarians to register or learn more.

SafePet Ontario recieves numerous inquiries regarding what we do, how the program works, how to get help and more. To help answer your questions, we've created a Frequently Asked Questions page on our website. Visit safepet.ca/faqs to learn more.