Companion Animal Housing Initiative
Companion Animal Housing Initiative (CAHI) was started in September 2023 to address the lack of resources, directories, and training for low-income, vulnerable, and unhoused people with pets and the organizations that help them.
Aim: To provide free resources, directories of services, and training for low-income, vulnerable, and unhoused Canadians with pets affected by the housing crisis, and the organizations that help them.
The 3 main goals of this initiative are:
Free Resources
Directories
Training
1. Free Resources
The free resources shared on our website and THINKIFIC page are designed for individuals with pets, organizations, and animal professionals.
These free resources may include but are not limited to:
How to start a pet food bank checklist
Evacuation checklists
How to help foster a dog or cat affected by domestic violence
Veterinary examination checklist for companion animals involved in domestic violence
A checklist for people with pets seeking to flee from domestic violence
Free webinars and panel discussions on how to keep people and pets in their homes and the various topics surrounding the housing crisis
Blogs to raise awareness
2.Directories
WFA has compiled a list of nationwide directories to assist individuals with pets who are struggling to access veterinary, shelter, or pet food resources or support in their area, city, or province.
Our nationwide directories include:
On our social media platforms and blogs, we will highlight the wonderful work being done by these organizations to increase awareness for people and pets around Canada who need help accessing basic needs for their pets.
If you are an organization that provides these services and wants to be featured on our directories, contact WFA by clicking here.
3. Training
Training involves a survey-based approach for pet-friendly shelters, women’s shelters, organizations, groups and communities that assist unhoused people with pets and their clients for training, behaviour, and welfare.
Training will include:
Using a survey to determine the training that is needed
Dog and cat body language
Dog bite safety
Basic cues
Safe dog and cat handling and approach
To conduct this work, Ruby, WFA’s Founder, has extensive certifications in behaviour, training and welfare. Additionally, she is certified from Humane Canada’s ACT Project’s gender-based violence courses, took the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada course, is CARE REDI certified, and NWAC DE&I certified.
Our CAHI SURVEY will be sent to those we train every 6-months to conduct an impact assessment and learn ways that we can better help the ever-changing and complex needs of unhoused or vulnerable people with pets. Such as how to better approach Indigenous peoples who “experience homelessness at a disproportionate rate and make up a significant percentage of the homeless populations in cities”.
Are you interested in WFA virtually or in-person presenting on training, behaviour, or welfare at your pet-friendly shelter, outreach group, or organization?
Or want your vulnerable, at-risk or unhoused clients with pets to have training help?
Are you interested in becoming a sponsor to fund the training?
Click the button below to contact us for more information!
Partners
WFA is so grateful for the following organizations for their help and support for this project.
