Safe Paws Lottery Fundraiser

Through this campaign, our intention is to bring awareness to the importance of pet-friendly shelter space and raising funds to support the pets of families within our shelters.

Who We Are

Regina Transition House works to support women and children who have experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and are seeking a system of support in their healing journey. A common barrier that women often face when leaving an unsafe situation is the inability to take their pets with them. This added challenge of finding a pet-friendly refuge is a significant barrier for women fleeing violence. Unfortunately, this means often times women will choose to stay in unsafe relationships and situations for fear of what might happen to their pet(s).

Finding safe housing is crucial to the healing and growth of families who have experienced violence; however, finding housing that supports families with pets is an incredibly important factor.

For some survivors of domestic violence who are cut off from friends and family, their pets are sometimes all they have for support.

Pets are often with survivors of IPV through the darkest times and many feel that their pets were what helped them to make it through, and the thought of being apart from that pet, and worse, leaving it behind where it could be in danger is just not an option.

Saskatchewan has the highest rate of reported IPV among all provinces and more than double the national average. The staggering reality is that this statistic is not changing, more so the situation is worsening. As a society, we need to work together to uplift and support individuals and families within our community. We need to work to remove barriers and ensure that the systems we provide are inclusive, thoughtful, supportive and strong.

Many survivors of IPV experience ongoing post-traumatic stress disorder

(PTSD). For individuals with PTSD, the presence of an animal may help remind them that they are no longer in danger; elicit positive emotions and warmth; support social connection; support physiological well-being; decrease sleep disturbance; lower levels of anger; decrease alcohol abuse; and reduce the severity of dissociation, depression, anxiety and other symptoms of PTSD. Pets can offer an unmatched level of support to trauma survivors attempting to cope with the emotional aftermath of a traumatic event. A beloved and trusted pet can act as a lifeline when the person they live with experiences PTSD or is otherwise emotionally distressed.

Regina Transition House is a 24/7 emergency safe shelter based in Regina, SK. The shelter provides emergency and short-term shelter to women and children who are leaving situations of violence and abuse. The charity has been in operation since 1976 and has served thousands of women and children right here in our community. Transition House staff work to provide information, support, and options based on the needs of their clients. The shelter is staffed with a variety of supportive and specialized roles including Outreach and Emergency Outreach, Children’s Support, and domestic violence counsellors to ensure families receive adequate assistance. Programming focuses on assisting women to maintain stable housing, connecting with community support and achieving a life without violence with the help of our Outreach team. Programs include weekly Outreach and Addiction’s Support groups, children and teens programming, and access to traditional Indigenous cultural activities and organizations. Regina Transition House was proud to offer pet-friendly shelter spaces until funding ended in September of 2024. We can still accept pets on a case by basis in the main shelter, but we are unable to accommodate families with dogs that are not services animals or multiple pets. Families with pets often need longer to find safe appropriate housing and need mid-stage shelter support and this is best offered in a separate location from the emergency shelter.

We recently received an amazing pledge from The Donald and Claire Kramer Fund through the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation of half a years’ worth of operating and staffing funds in the event we able to raise or secure the other half of funds through fundraising and grant efforts. This would allow us to re-open our re-imagined, pet-friendly and mid-stage shelter spaces for 1 year. We are hoping this lottery can help us achieve this goal and allow us to re-open new pet-friendly spaces that can accept all pets and assist families for 2-6 months while they secure pet-friendly housing. We also need funds for pet supplies and basic discounted vet care for any pets arriving in our IPV shelter spaces.

Our Purpose

Through the Safe Paws initiative, our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of pet-friendly shelter spaces that welcome families with pets who are navigating the healing process after experiencing violence. In late 2021, a survey conducted by the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS), was completed by 60 survivors of IPV. 80% of the participants expressed the need to have a safe, accommodating, and pet-friendly shelter upon leaving their unsafe situations.

Additionally, there is a financial need for support to cover costs incurred for behavioral assessments and training, veterinary care, spay and/or neutering costs, intervention, rehabilitation, education on adequate care of animals, pet supplies, cleaning supplies and outdoor enclosures to ensure the safety and comfort of the pet and other neighbours. The cost to operate and maintain pet-friendly spaces, and providing supportive staffing to families and their pets requires the community’s financial support. With the support of the community, we can ensure families continue to receive the best support and care as they navigate the healing process after experiencing trauma.

THE OPPORTUNITY

In March 2025 we will host an online 50/50 Lottery fundraiser. Tickets will be $20.00 each and be available for a few weeks prior to the draw. A separate prize package raffle will be held concurrently with the 50/50 lottery.

Prize packages for the raffle are:

1st 2 nights stay with breakfast for 2 at the Delta Hotel in Regina

2nd 1 night stay at the Delta Hotel in Regina with $50 gift card for Knotted Thistle pub

3rd $200 gift card for Manitou Springs Resort and Spa

Sponsors for the prize packages are:

Delta Hotels Regina

Manitou Springs Resort and Spa

Knotted Thistle Pub in Atlas Hotel Regina

(logos needed for mention on ticket sale website)

With the help and support of individuals and organizations like you, we have the ability to serve and support more families who are in need of pet-friendly, safe shelter space, counseling and programming that is inclusive, thoughtful, supportive and strong.

We thank you for your continued support of Regina Transition House as we work to support and uplift our most vulnerable population.

Please contact Stephanie Taylor at [email protected], if you are interested in sponsorship and would like to learn more about our fundraising goals.

Thank you!