Case Studies and Survivor Stories
Learn about innovative projects and programs created by champions and organizations to better support survivors of Gender-Based Violence and their animals.
Case Studies
Explore our Case Studies to read about the many ways that champions of this work are supporting survivors and their animals. Topics include:
Trauma-Informed Care in Animal Service Settings: Supporting Survivors with Animals
Supporting survivors with animals through a foster-based animal safekeeping program: Toronto Humane Society & Vancouver Humane Society
Trauma-Informed Care in Social Service Settings: Supporting Survivors with Animals
Supporting survivors with animals through a foster-based animal safekeeping program: Paws For Hope & BC SPCA
Co-Sheltering On-Site
Supporting survivors with animals through co-sheltering: Bethesda House, Interval House of Ottawa & Regina Transition House
- Access Bethesda House case study here
- Access Interval House of Ottawa case study here.
- Access Regina Transition House case study here..
Sheltering Off-Site
Supporting survivors with animals through off site animal safekeeping programs: Genesis House & PEI Humane Society
Supporting Rural & Remote Communities
Supporting survivors of GBV with animals in rural Southern Ontario: Guelph-Wellington Women In Crisis and Crossroads Resources Center and Women's Shelter
- Access Guelph-Wellington Women In Crisis case study here
- Access Crossroads Resources Center and Women's Shelter case study here
Service Animals & Disability Rights
Supporting survivors of GBV with service animals: Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) & National Service Dogs
Survivor Stories
The ACT Project is privileged to hold anonymous survivor stories which were collected through an anonymous Survivor Story Survey. These stories are a testament to the human-animal bond, and the need to advocate for a better system of support for survivors and their animals.
I couldn’t bring her with me to the shelter, and I sure as heck wasn’t going without her!
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
(My pet and I) ended up living in my car for three months until I was able to find safe housing for us.
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
I was in between homes because of abuse, and my animal and I have been separated a few times in our life because I am unable to house myself and him. Those are heartbreaking moments to look back on, as I wish that life's instability and abusive factors did not take away from precious time we could have had together.
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
Domestic violence is isolating enough without having to give up an animal who feels like your only support most days.
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
My animal was threatened with violence as well. We cannot forget the trauma animals go through.
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
I had several horses, dogs and cats. I did not have anywhere to take the horse. The dogs were a big enough barrier, but the horses made it almost impossible to be able to leave. The animals I had created no options for me to be able to leave with them.
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
I chose to stay rather than leave them (my animals) in his care. I knew they would be harmed if I left them.
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
I couldn’t bring her with me to the shelter, and I sure as heck wasn’t going without her!
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
(My pet and I) ended up living in my car for three months until I was able to find safe housing for us.
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
I was in between homes because of abuse, and my animal and I have been separated a few times in our life because I am unable to house myself and him. Those are heartbreaking moments to look back on, as I wish that life's instability and abusive factors did not take away from precious time we could have had together.
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
Domestic violence is isolating enough without having to give up an animal who feels like your only support most days.
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
My animal was threatened with violence as well. We cannot forget the trauma animals go through.
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
I had several horses, dogs and cats. I did not have anywhere to take the horse. The dogs were a big enough barrier, but the horses made it almost impossible to be able to leave. The animals I had created no options for me to be able to leave with them.
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
I chose to stay rather than leave them (my animals) in his care. I knew they would be harmed if I left them.
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023
I couldn’t bring her with me to the shelter, and I sure as heck wasn’t going without her!
ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023