Right now, if a family wants to escape from domestic violence, you can’t take your beloved pet with you if you need to stay in an emergency shelter or transition house.

Spokesperson with the Saskatchewan SPCA, Josh Hourie, says it’s common for those in a violent situation to stay, because they can’t take their pet with them. That’s what a collaborative effort with the Provincial Association of Transition Houses of Saskatchewan and STOPS to Violence is about.

The goal is to have pet friendly emergency shelters and transition homes in this province.

Hourie believes the only pet friendly facility in Canada right now is in Ottawa, although he adds in this province, there are some shelters that may accept pets on a case by case basis. He says in an ideal world we wouldn’t need them, but that’s not the reality we are in.

Draw date for the Working to End Violence 50/50 Lottery is October 1st. You can click on the link www.violencelink.ca to get your tickets.

Last year’s proceeds went towards a Getting Out guide, which is available through the same link.