NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
November 2, 2020— Edmonton, Alberta – Alberta SPCA received a $25,000 grant from PetSmart Charities of Canada, to help keep pets in loving homes and out of shelters in Alberta.
As the face of family changes over the years, what remains constant is the role animals play in our lives. Pets are members of the family, and it can be challenging to find resources when facing life changes and issues such as homelessness, lack of pet-friendly housing, or fleeing domestic violence in search of a safe-haven. Pet parents facing at-risk situations often determine they have no options beyond either surrendering their beloved pet to a local shelter, or refusing to help themselves in order to stay with their animals.
With this grant, the Alberta SPCA’s One Family Welfare (OFW) department will help preserve the bond between pets and people by providing temporary foster care for animals while their owners deal with crisis situations including physical and mental health issues, addictions, homelessness and family violence. The OFW Crisis Care Program offers boarding and veterinary care for pets across Alberta while pet guardians focus on their own well-being; people like Christine. Christine’s three dogs were enrolled in the Crisis Care Program while she underwent treatment for cancer. Princess, Molly and Walter are three of about 100 pets to be cared for since the Crisis Care Program was established in the fall of 2019.
“Pets are family too,” said One Family Welfare Director, Patricia Mamak, “We know many people will not deal with their own health and well-being until their animals are cared for first.”
This grant allows people in crisis to focus on their own needs while the Alberta SPCA cares for their pets. Once the guardians is in a stable home, their pets are returned to them.
“Pets have the remarkable ability to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, improve our mood and bring us unconditional love, especially during times of uncertainty,” said Dani LaGiglia, regional relationship manager at PetSmart Charities of Canada. “With organizations like the Alberta SPCA, pet guardians will never have to choose between a beloved pet and their own wellbeing.” Since 1999, through its partnership with more than 220 SPCAs, humane societies, and sheltering organizations across Canada, PetSmart Charities of Canada has helped more than 300,000 pets to find loving homes via its in-store adoption program in over 140 PetSmart® stores. The leading funder of animal welfare has also donated more than $21.7 million to improve access to veterinary care, to positively impact communities, to connect people and pets and to help preserve families through initiatives like this with the Alberta SPCA’s One Family Welfare Crisis Care program.
About the Alberta SPCA
The Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Alberta SPCA) is a registered charity dedicated to the welfare of animals. We encourage the humane treatment of animals through enforcement of animal protection legislation, through our education programs and through our One Family Welfare programs. The Alberta SPCA has been at the forefront of animal welfare advances since being established in 1959. We were instrumental in establishing the Animal Protection Act of Alberta in 1967. We work closely with other agencies in animal welfare, agriculture, education, violence prevention and other areas to provide the best level of protection for animals.
Follow the Alberta SPCA on Facebook: facebook.com/AlbertaSPCA
Follow the Alberta SPCA on Twitter: @AlbertaSPCA
Follow the Alberta SPCA on Instagram: @AlbertaSPCA
Learn about the work of the Alberta SPCA on YouTube: https://youtube.com/AlbertaSPCA
About PetSmart Charities® of Canada
PetSmart® Charities of Canada is committed to finding lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together. Each year, more than 500,000 generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities of Canada using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities of Canada efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as a leading funder of animal welfare in Canada, granting more than $21.7 million since its inception in 1999. PetSmart Charities of Canada is a registered Canadian charity, a member of Imagine Canada and is independent from the PetSmart business in Canada. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.ca
Follow PetSmart Charities on Instagram: @PetSmartCharities
Follow PetSmart Charities on Twitter: @PetSmartChariTs
Find PetSmart Charities on Facebook: : Facebook.com/PetSmartCanada
See PetSmart Charities on YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc
Media Contact:
Dan Kobe
Communications Manager Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
17904 118 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T5S 2W3
780-732-3742
dkobe@albertaspca.org
24-Hour PetSmart Charities
Media Line: 623-587-2177
