Saskatchewan has the unfortunate distinction of having the highest prevalence rate of violence and abuse within intimate partner relationships of all Canadian provinces. That from Crystal Giesbrecht with the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan.

PATHS and the Saskatchewan SPCA are partnering in a joint research project examining how animal ownership creates barriers for those needing to leave a violent situation.

And they need more respondents to sign up and be part of the project. These are the public and individuals who have experienced violence and/or abuse while owning an animals, along with those that work in the human services and animal welfare sectors. There is a short online survey or you can share your experience through a confidential phone interview.

The project is scheduled to be complete this fall.

The Saskatchewan SPCA says of the domestic abuse victims surveyed, 80 per cent reported their pets had been abused. That’s why one of the provincial organization’s goals is to have a transition house in this province that allows pets.

The Saskatchewan SPCA has partnered with New Hope Dog Rescue in Saskatoon and the Swift Current SPCA for pets to be fostered temporarily. Right now there are 12 pet-friendly transition houses in Canada, with 6 each in B.C. and Ontario.