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

  • Access Toronto Humane Society case study here.
  • Access Vancouver Humane Society case study here.

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

  • Access Paws for Hope case study here
  • Access BC SPCA case study here.

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

  • Access Genesis House case study here.
  • Access PEI Humane Society case study here.

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

  • Access Pacific Assistance Dogs Society case study here
  • Access National Service Dogs case study here.

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.

SURVIVOR DECLARATION - LD'S STORY

SURVIVOR DECLARATION - J'S STORY

SURVIVOR DECLARATION - LEAVING WAS ONLY THE FIRST STEP

SURVIVOR DECLARATION - T'S STORY

My animal was threatened with violence as well. We cannot forget the trauma animals go through.

- Anonymous Survivor

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.

- Anonymous Survivor

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.

- Anonymous Survivor

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!

- Anonymous Survivor

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.

- Anonymous Survivor

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.

- Anonymous Survivor

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.

- Anonymous Survivor

ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023