Funding supports abused women in shelters with pets

The text message Tanja Loeb received this week from a woman contemplating leaving an abusive relationship was filled with relief and joy.

The woman had just found out from Loeb, executive director of Gillian’s Place, that she may not have to give up her pet if she comes to the women’s shelter.

“I’m so happy, I’m crying. I’m so grateful,” she texted Loeb a few days ago, explaining how difficult it was trying to find someone to care for her pet. “That’s been my biggest obstacle. Thank you so much.”

Women who stay in abusive relationships because they don’t want to leave their cats or dogs behind when they go to a shelter is a common issue, Loeb said.

A new program offered by Lincoln County Humane Society in partnership with Gillian’s Place and YWCA will take that barrier away by providing care for the pets of women in shelters.

It will help victims of domestic violence as well as homeless women who are pet owners.

The humane society received a grant of $4,000 from Niagara Community Foundation to offer the program, which equals about 200 days of boarding at the Fourth Avenue agency. The service will be provided to women with pets on a referral basis by the two women’s shelters.

Gillian’s Place and YWCA don’t take pets at their shelters for similar reasons that include limited space and client allergies.

Kevin Strooband, executive director of the humane society, said the agency applied for the grant because it knew there was a need locally.

He said the humane society has helped women who’ve come to it with pets informally on a case by case basis, about 10 a year, but this will help more women.

“Because we’re a charity and we do operate in a deficit position, it’s very difficult for us to absorb those costs,” he said. “This will help us help people.”

Loeb said an average of five women a month ask staff at Gillian’s Place if they can bring their pet to the shelter or know of a place where their pets can go.

Efforts have been made in the past to support pet owners but nothing’s gotten off the ground.

“This is really, for a long time, the very first initiative that has real legs to it and will really go a long way in supporting our clients.”

Loeb said when women have to leave everything behind that’s close and important to them to escape an abusive relationship they need people and things they love around them. “Pets are a huge source of support to our clients and to their children,” Loeb said. “You do hear that is the reason that many people choose not to leave and they stay in an unsafe situation and continue to endure abuse.”

As well, Loeb said women know they need to protect their pet from the abuser and worry their pet may be exposed to retribution if they leave.

Women who are facing eviction and have nowhere to go also avoid shelters if they can’t take pets.

“We see cases where they’re staying in their car because they don’t have anywhere for their pet and they are not able to access our shelter because of their pet,” said Nicki Inch, fund development manager at YWCA Niagara.

Inch said YWCA had 10 to 15 clients in St. Catharines this year who either had to give up their animals, surrender them to the humane society or give them to someone they didn’t know.

Another five to 10 women called YWCA for information and decided not to come to the shelter because animals weren’t permitted in the facility.

“For me, it’s about removing any barrier for someone coming to shelter and finding that safe place to stay until they are able to find the housing that they need,” Inch said.

Loeb said word is spreading about the brand new program and there’s been a lot of interest already from women like the client who texted her.

She said they’ll have to figure out how they can continue the program once the 200 boarding days runs out and may turn to the community for donations to keep it going.