The Peterborough Humane Society is planning to expand its Safe Nights for Pets (SNooPy) Program in support of pets in need of temporary emergency boarding due to non-preventable situations — and you can help the organization win funds to support the expansion by voting in an online contest.
For more than 20 years, the program has supported individuals fleeing domestic violence with a free and anonymous place to keep their pets safe for up to 30 days as needed while they focus on regaining their freedom and stabilizing their future.
“We know from research that one of the things that prevents individuals in those awful situations from finding a better solution is the consideration of pets,” says Si Grobler, the organization’s manager of donor relations. “The Peterborough Humane Society decided to make that one decision a little bit easier for them and be a resource to support these individuals.”
Since the program first launched, the boarding time has increased from 21 to 30 days in response to the need in the community. Having accommodated 34 pets through the program just last year alone, the Peterborough Humane Society ensures temporary boarded animals are fed, cared for, played with, and offered companionship — all free of charge.
“We take care of that just to give them the opportunity to move on and find a better situation,” Grobler says. “If we can be a support where an individual can deal with this awful situation and then come back and get reunited with their pet, that’s a win-win — and not only for the pet, but obviously the owner — and a win-win for our community, as it’s not an extra pet that might otherwise be wandering outside.”
In recent years, however, Grobler says the charity has seen an increase in demand for temporary boarding for pets belonging to individuals facing other unplanned emergencies.
“SNooPy was always focused on supporting people fleeing domestic violence, and now we’re interested in expanding it to hospitalizations, floods, fires — any of those situations where an owner just needs temporary housing and boarding for their pet until they’re back on their feet,” says Grobler. “We want to provide more support to our community when they need emergency boarding because the need is there.”
Earlier this month, the Peterborough Humane Society submitted a video explaining the planned program expansion to the McDougall Community Contest, an annual online competition organized by McDougall Insurance, the largest insurance brokerage in eastern Ontario. The contest is open to non-profit organizations and community groups across Ontario who are seeking funding for a project that benefits the community.
The contest will award three prizes worth a total of $10,000 based on the three submitted videos that get the most votes on the contest platform by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 31st. First place receives $5,000, second place receives $3,000, and third place receives $2,000.
Grobler explains that, were the Peterborough Humane Society to win any of the prizes, the funds would be going towards “loving care and medical attention” for the pets being sheltered through the SNooPy program.
“When a pet comes in, obviously we provide food and water and our staff and volunteers will socialize and play with the pet to make sure its well-being is being looked after, but we also provide medical care,” he says. “One of things we want to do with SNooPy is provide a free spay and neuter for individuals that need the service so the owners don’t have to worry about that after the fact.”
While of course it depends on the health and situation of the animal, Grobler guesses that with the $5,000 top prize, the Peterborough Humane Society would be able to board and support about 50 more pets through the SNooPy program.
“We think it would be really wonderful if, for an individual in a really bad situation, we can look after their pet, give them good care and attention, and spay and neuter so the pet goes back to them stronger,” Grobler says. “That’s one less thing that they need to worry about after the fact. This is something we can do, and this is how we’ve decided to help our community.”
Regardless of whether or not the Peterborough Humane Society wins a prize from the McDougall Community Contest, Grobler assures the expansion will happen one way or another.
“We will find funds and we will do what we can to make sure that we help more families in awful situations,” Grobler says. “Our community needs it.”
To vote for the SNooPy expansion video, visit platform.votigo.com/fbcontests/showentry/McDougallCommunityContest2024/3749343.
Those in need of anonymous support through SNooPy can contact the Peterborough Humane Society 705-745-4722 ext. 200.
