Saskatchewan has the highest rate of domestic violence of all of the provinces and to address that concern, three provincial organizations are working together to make the province safer for humans and pets.

The Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan, STOPS to Violence, and the Saskatchewan SPCA have highlighted The Link between human and animal abuse. The executive director of PATHS, Jo-Anne Dusel, says 80 per cent of women in shelters have stated that the pets in their homes were also abused, and many put off leaving if they can’t take their companion animals with them.

Their first collaborative fundraiser is the Working To End Violence 50/50 online lottery. Proceeds will go towards a booklet that is a planning tool for those looking to leave an abusive relationship. You can click on the link with this story to go to the 50/50 site.

Dusel says one of their larger goals is to raise awareness and funds to make at least one shelter in the province pet friendly. In the meantime, the 3 provincial organizations are building relationships with animal protection and foster groups to have boarding available for women who need to leave an abusive situation but have no place for their pet.