By ensuring their pets are safely cared for, a BC SPCA pilot program is helping people escape domestic violence, and is expanding that service throughout the province.
With the tagline "let us worry about them so you don't have to," the Safekeepers Program, fosters pets with specially trained individuals while their human leaves the situation and gets themselves re-established.
"The program provides free and, importantly, confidential foster care boarding for the pets of individuals fleeing an interpersonal violence situation," SPCA communications manager Kaila Wolf explained. "This can be for anywhere between two weeks to up to six months while the Safekeepers client gets back on their feet."
The program, which began in the Lower Mainland, will soon be available locally, with registration now open for individuals to become fosters and help people and pets, with dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals accepted for fostering.
"Right now, we're very desperately seeking these specialized foster care volunteers in order to be able to start accepting clients to the program," said Wolf, adding the goal is to have 10 volunteers fully trained and ready to accept an animal into their home before applications are accepted.
Animal lovers interested in joining the "foster roster" can do so on the BC SPCA volunteer page, with additional information on Safekeepers under programs.
The SPCA also advises anyone leaving a violent situation to get their pets prepared by contacting the vet for medical records, prepare transportation of a carrier or harness/leash, pack a small supply of food and any medications, keep evidence of any threats or harm against the animal, and keep proof of pet ownership.
