NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

SASKATCHEWAN SPCA RECEIVES $65,000 GRANT FROM PETSMART CHARITIES OF CANADA® TO HELP KEEP PETS AND PEOPLE TOGETHER

As the face of family continues to change, what remains constant is the important role pets play in our lives. Many people consider pets family members, and it can be challenging to find resources when facing homelessness, lack of pet-friendly housing, military deployment or fleeing domestic violence in search of a safe-haven. Pet parents in these and other at-risk situations often determine they have no options beyond surrendering their beloved pet to a local shelter.

With this grant, the Saskatchewan SPCA will help preserve the bond between pets and their people by developing the new Family Ties Crisis Care initiative. The goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of people and their animals by addressing the needs of family members experiencing domestic violence or other emergency situations that impact their ability to care for their animals.

“Family Ties helps fill gaps in existing community resources for pet owners who are experiencing domestic violence or other financial, health, or housing emergencies,” says Josh Hourie, Community Relations Coordinator. “Family Ties is part of our collective efforts to improve the lives of animals today and into the future.”

“The best way to improve lives for pets is to support their families in the midst of crises,” said Dani LaGiglia, Manager of Community Grants PetSmart Charities of Canada. “The Saskatchewan SPCA’s Family Ties Care Initiative promises those in need can continue to feed and care for their pets without sacrificing their own nourishment. Pet parents should never have to choose between putting food on the table or in their pet’s bowl.”

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About the Saskatchewan SPCA

The Saskatchewan SPCA is the voice for animals and their people. We educate and promote the wellbeing of animals, strengthening the human-animal bond. As change-makers, we advance policy, with a focus on ensuring the sustained humane treatment of animals. Our collective efforts improve the lives of animals today and into the future. To learn more visit https://www.saskspca.ca/

• Follow SaskSPCA on Instagram: @SaskSPCA

• Follow SaskSPCA on Twitter: @SaskSPCA

• Find SaskSPCA on Facebook: Facebook.com/SaskSPCA

• See SaskSPCA on YouTube: YouTube.com/channel/UCVggva7XKcG69KvZKMi8x5Q

 

Media Contact:

 

For SaskSPCA:

Josh Hourie

Community Relations Coordinator

Phone: 639.571.7722

Email: josh@saskspca.ca

 

For PetSmart Charities® of Canada

24-Hour PetSmart Charities Media Line

623.587.2177

 

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 $24.7 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

Find PetSmart Canada & PetSmart Charities of Canada on:

• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/PetSmartCanada

• Follow PetSmart Canada & PetSmart Charities of Canada on Instagram: www.instagram.com/PetSmartCanada

• Follow PetSmart Charities on Twitter: @PetSmartChariTs

• See PetSmart Charities on YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharities

For further information: Media Contact: Golin Canada, Carly Newton, 647-618-8070, cnewton@golin.com; 24-Hour PetSmart Charities Media Line: 623-587-2177