Vancouver, BC — The Paws for Hope Animal Foundation (Paws for Hope) is raising awareness about its No Pet Left Behind program and reaching out to people across the lower mainland, encouraging them to consider temporarily fostering an animal in need.

The No Pet Left Behind keeps families together by providing temporary safe foster care for pets of individuals in crisis— including those escaping violence—creating safety for people and their pets. “One of the main reasons people surrender their pets to a shelter or rescue is because they are in crisis,” says Kathy Powelson, Paws for Hope Executive Director. “We believe that pets are family and people should not be faced with such a traumatic decision.”

Foster families are the cornerstone of the No Pet Left Behind program and right now Paws for Hope is in need of more foster homes—particularly for large dogs and cats (both individual and bonded pairs/groups). If you live in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley or North Shore, Paws for Hope is encouraging you to consider opening your heart and your home. Temporary fostering is a great way to help both people in need and their pets while also benefiting from the joy animal companionship brings. Pet food, supplies, training (if required), and veterinary care are all paid for by Paws for Hope.

“Many individuals will delay leaving an unsafe relationship for fear of their pet’s safety, thus prolonging the abuse. And for people fleeing violence or in crisis, there are few places they can go that allow pets. No Pet Left Behind fills this important gap—ensuring pets are included in the social safety net. Whether it is fleeing abuse or getting addiction or mental health treatment or searching for new pet-friendly housing, we strive to ensure that no pet is left behind.”

To foster an animal, contact Cassie Preston at [email protected] or 604-506-9297. Visit www.pawsforhope.org to fill out an application and learn more about the program and how you can help keep BC pets out of the shelter system.

About Paws for Hope Animal Foundation

Paws for Hope envisions communities that embrace all pets as family, ensuring they are loved, free from harm, and where no pet is left behind. To that end, our mission is to shift the culture of companion animal welfare in British Columbia by creating new models of practice and remediating the underlying causes of harm through cross-sector collaboration, education, and advocacy. Learn more at: www.pawsforhope.org

For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact:
Kathy Powelson, Paws for Hope Executive Director
[email protected] or 604-396-9297