A dog wears purple in honour of family violence and prevention month (Tiffany Goodwein/ CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Family Violence and prevention month

Pooches primped in purple for Family Violence and Prevention Month

Nov 13, 2021 | 6:45 PM

MEDICINE HAT,AB– Dogs and their owners went for a walk around Kin Coulee Park Saturday all to raise awareness for family violence and prevention month.

The pet walk is in its seventh year and dogs all wore purple to shed light on how family violence doesn’t just impact people but pets as well.

Natasha Carvalho, executive director of the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society said a lot of people don’t access shelter services because they have pets.

“ That becomes a barrier for them, and they are worried to leave them behind because they are worried that something can happen to them as well,”

Carvalho said thankfully the Medicine Hat Women’s shelter has a great partnership with the SPCA, which takes in pets while individuals are in shelter.

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The past 20 months have been busy for the shelter. Carvalho said the COVID-19 pandemic has put added stressors and complications on families.

“COVID-19 has been really hard on families in crisis already. Police have seen a 29 per cent increase in domestic violence calls this year and we have definitely seen that in our services as well. Our programs have been really busy. Our shelters are full to capacity and our outreach centers are seeing families who we might not have seen before, but we are really happy that they are reaching out for help when they need it. ” she said.

With November family violence and prevention month, Carvalho is encouraging the public to reach out to people who may be struggling and to direct them to some of the services offered by the shelter.

The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter is also taking donations. More information about the shelter’s needs and ways to donate can be found on their website.