Session 4: Escaping Violence Together: Housing pets in shelter with their loved ones
Sub-theme
Practice
Keywords
Housing; pets; emergency shelter
Start Date
11-10-2018 3:00 PM
End Date
11-10-2018 4:00 PM
Abstract
Across Canada, few shelters currently support women and children to come into the residence with their family pets. Interval House of Ottawa has created an innovative and ground breaking project that supports women and children with pets to leave abusive relationships sooner and benefit from a pet’s companionship as they heal from trauma by entering the shelter with their furry, feathered and aquatic loved ones.
In order to respect the diversity of our clients and address allergies and fear of animals we decided to renovate our oversized basement. In this area we have fully enclosed spaces for dog housing; cat housing; small animal housing; a room for food preparation, sanitation and laundry; and a large storage room. To ensure good mental health of families and their pets, the area has day and moon light. It hosts two living rooms, with TV and Netflix, in which women and children can play with, and be comforted by their pets.
Allergens and odors are contained with a separate HVAC system, and a designated commercial washer and dryer for animal bedding and towels. The animal housing area is soundproofed to ensure that barking or other noise does not reach the main living space of the shelter. It also hosts a designated entrance/exit for families with pets to use, so they can move directly from the animal housing area to outside. This secured door links the animal housing to an enclosed outdoor space for play and exercise.
In this presentation you will learn about:
- Building space within VAW shelters to house pets
- Attending to fears and allergies in a community living environment
- Getting started: partnerships, costs, proposals, funding options, insurance
- Operational policies and procedures needed
Session 4: Escaping Violence Together: Housing pets in shelter with their loved ones
Across Canada, few shelters currently support women and children to come into the residence with their family pets. Interval House of Ottawa has created an innovative and ground breaking project that supports women and children with pets to leave abusive relationships sooner and benefit from a pet’s companionship as they heal from trauma by entering the shelter with their furry, feathered and aquatic loved ones.
In order to respect the diversity of our clients and address allergies and fear of animals we decided to renovate our oversized basement. In this area we have fully enclosed spaces for dog housing; cat housing; small animal housing; a room for food preparation, sanitation and laundry; and a large storage room. To ensure good mental health of families and their pets, the area has day and moon light. It hosts two living rooms, with TV and Netflix, in which women and children can play with, and be comforted by their pets.
Allergens and odors are contained with a separate HVAC system, and a designated commercial washer and dryer for animal bedding and towels. The animal housing area is soundproofed to ensure that barking or other noise does not reach the main living space of the shelter. It also hosts a designated entrance/exit for families with pets to use, so they can move directly from the animal housing area to outside. This secured door links the animal housing to an enclosed outdoor space for play and exercise.
In this presentation you will learn about:
- Building space within VAW shelters to house pets
- Attending to fears and allergies in a community living environment
- Getting started: partnerships, costs, proposals, funding options, insurance
- Operational policies and procedures needed
