By Brittney Matejka

Pets are often the forgotten family members in family violence situations

Nov 19, 2017 | 10:49 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB. – The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society (MHWSS) teamed up again this year with the SPCA to host a pet walk in Kin Coulee Park on Saturday, November 18th.

Rose O’Donnell, Director of Programs and Services of MHWSS said this is the 3rd annual pet walk and they aim to bring awareness to the often forgotten family members in family violence situations.

“Often an abuser may use the pet, as part of the toll, threatening; often pets are harmed in an abusive relationship. 59% of victims don’t report family violence as they are afraid of the threat to their pet, this is really important for us to bring awareness to the community,” she explained.

O’Donnell said they launched a program earlier this year to help pets in situations of family violence, to allow both the victim and the pet to leave the dangerous situation.

“We launched, Pet Safe keeping, so we can call the SPCA, we do the paperwork and they look after the pet, they regularly call and see how their pet is doing,” she explained.

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For more information contact the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society.