Fleeing Family Violence?
If you are a pet owner that is fleeing an abusive home situation and is concerned about leaving pet(s) behind please contact us.
The Pet Safekeeping Program currently operates in all geographical areas in the province of Alberta.
- Services available 365 days a year
- 24-hour emergency crisis phone number
- Confidential and inclusive support
- Phone: 780-447-3600 extension 3750
- Email: petsafekeeping@albertaspca.org
- Fax: 780-455-5990
In Crisis?
The Crisis Care Program provides reprieve to pet owners dealing with a life-changing event that impedes on their ability to care for their companion animal(s).
The Crisis Care Program currently operates in all geographical areas in the province of Alberta.
- Services available 365 days a year
- 24-hour emergency crisis phone number
- Confidential and inclusive support
- Phone: 780-447-3600 extension 3750
- Email: petsafekeeping@albertaspca.org
- Fax: 780-455-5990
Safety Planning With Pets
Escaping abuse is complicated. It is important to have a personalized safety plan to keep you and those you love (pets included) safe.
Have a safety plan BEFORE you leave the abusive situation.
We have provided a template of what a Safety Plan includes below:
The most dangerous time in an abusive relationship is when you decide to leave the relationship.
Have a safety plan AFTER you leave the abusive situation.
We have provided a template of what a Safety Plan includes below:
Red Flags Of Family Violence
Family violence can take many forms of abuse including physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse. Family Violence also occurs within various types of relationships and includes intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse, violence based on so-called “honour” and forced marriage.
Deliberate cruelty to animals is a form of violence as well. Besides being harmful to a living creature capable of suffering and feeling pain, intentional animal cruelty can be one of the earliest and most dramatic predictors that an individual is developing a pattern of seeking power and control by inflicting suffering on others.
This is not an exhaustive list but some common warning signs of an abusive personality includes:
Human Abuse
- Threatening, belittling, bullying
- Controlling finances
- Explosive temper
- Jealousy and possessiveness
- Withholding medication or medical supports
- Controlling communication and social media activity
- Dictating what a person can and cannot do
- Controlling physical appearance
- Forcing sexual touching, intercourse, or other sexual activity
Animal Abuse
- Violence towards an animal (punching, kicking, choking)
- Evidence of multiple or repeated injuries
- Unusual explanation for injuries
- No explanation for injuries
- No concern over injuries and withholding treatment
- Yelling at and threatening to harm or hurt or kill an animal
- Excessive use of correctional tools (shock or prong collar)