Companion Animal Housing Initiative
Companion Animal Housing Initiative (CAHI) was started in September 2023 to address the lack of resources, directories, and training for unhoused, vulnerable, and people at risk with pets
Aim: To provide free resources, directories of services, and training programs for Canadians with pets affected by the lack of affordable housing
The 3 main goals of this initiative are:
Free Resources
Directories
Training the Trainer Course
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 help to 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 the Trainer Course
Training the Trainer Course first involves a survey-based approach for outreach at pet-friendly shelters, women’s shelters, organizations and communities that assist unhoused people with pets for training, behaviour, and welfare.
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.
A 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”.
Let us know if your pet-friendly shelter, organization, or program wants to have WFA present training, behaviour, and welfare outreach virtually or in-person by clicking here. Or, if you are interested in becoming a sponsor or funding these sessions, also contact WFA here.