Pets in the Shelter

FTP has been a safe haven in our community for women and children seeking shelter for over 36 years. We are now proud to welcome family pets, too! Research tells us that when women are fleeing domestic violence, having family pets can deter them from leaving an abusive situation fearing that they can’t bring them with them to safety. At FTP, we have always supported families with pets thanks to long-standing partnerships with local veterinary services and foster families through the SafePet Ontario program, administered by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association. When we recently modified our shelter spaces to ensure personal and private accommodation for families staying with us during the pandemic, this meant that we could also welcome all family pets—furry, feathered, scaly, swimming or otherwise. We’ve also built a safe and secure dog run in our backyard to ensure that they have a place to stretch their legs and get some fresh air, too. Clients love that their pets can join them during their stay, and our staff are also enjoying these new additions.