Ottawa women’s emergency shelter opens door to pets

Women who suffer from intimate partner violence will no longer have to choose between their own safety, or their pet's safety.

Interval House of Ottawa will be opening the city's first pet housing in a women's shelter on Tuesday.

“We know that pets provide a lot of emotional comfort and healing support,” said Kia Rainbow, Executive Director of Interval House of Ottawa.

Adding, “women who are victims of violence, intimate partner violence, they experience extreme trauma so to take away their support or have them give up that support that they need at that time (doesn't make sense), their dogs will provide them with much unconditional love and help them in their healing journey.”

Officials say the pet housing will help in keeping families together, and reduce abuse victims' trauma.

Interval House have built a lower level facility to keep pets in. It has a separate HVAC system, as to not spread any allergens through-out the shelter in case of allergies.

The animal housing area will have five fully enclosed spaces: an area for housing cats, an area for housing dogs, an area to house small animals, a food preparation room, a laundry room, and a pet friendly living room. There will also be an enclosed outdoor play area for exercise and play.

“61% of women said their abusive partner had also brutalized or killed their pet.” said Rainbow. “So, women weren't going to leave their home and leave those pets behind.”

Alta Vista Animal Hospital will be providing health checks, flea medication, and vaccinations, at no cost on every animal that comes in.