Humane societies help people, too: new research

LONDON, ON –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– Animal welfare nonprofits work to find loving adoptive homes for dogs, cats, and smaller animals like rabbits, but new research has found that these organizations also help another species: our own.

The report, “Toward a Humane Society for Us All: The Social Impacts of Animal Welfare Nonprofits,” reveals that humane societies and SPCAs across Canada are delivering supportive and even lifesaving programs and services that help vulnerable animals and people alike.

“Most Canadians know about the adoption services provided by animal welfare nonprofits and that in many regions they are also responsible for frontline cruelty investigations. But these often small organizations are having an even bigger impact. They are changing and saving both animals’ and people’s lives,” says Dr. Kendra Coulter, lead author of the report, Professor in Management and Organizational Studies, and coordinator of the unique new Animal Ethics and Sustainability Leadership program at Huron University (Western).

Coulter and Dr. Erin Jones, a researcher and dog expert, surveyed the leaders of local and provincial animal welfare nonprofits across Canada, to gain a fuller understanding of the diversity of their work, and assess who benefits and how.

The supports animal welfare nonprofits are providing for families experiencing abuse are particularly significant. “Animals and people are often abused simultaneously in the same home, and many human victims refuse to leave because they fear for the safety of their animals if left behind,” Coulter explains. “Animal welfare nonprofits are responding to this challenge, and many can provide emergency housing for the animal victims of domestic violence. This can truly be the difference between life and death for people and animals, and help victims become survivors.”

Most of the nonprofits can also offer tangible resources like emergency pet food and some low- or no-cost veterinary care to animal caretakers who are struggling financially or in crisis. This helps prevent animal surrenders, which is especially important because many local shelters are already full or over capacity with animals who do not have loving families.

Coulter, a globally recognized leader in the analysis of animal protection, says Canadian efforts reflect international trends in animal welfare that use both responsive and preventative approaches, as well as the distinctness of local communities’ needs and opportunities. The report is available at: humanejobs.org

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For more information contact:

Dr. Kendra Coulter
Professor and Coordinator of Animal Ethics and Sustainability Leadership
kendra.coulter@huron.uwo.ca

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