Better Together

Provides emotional and financial support to homeless and/or low income people caring for their pets. Program aims to keep pets at home and out of the shelter and rescue system. Supports include veterinary care support and financial assistance including spays and neuters; pet care needs such as food and supplies; municipal pet licensing assistance; connecting individuals with social service support; and supporting people through pet end-of-life decisions and grief. The program pays 80 percent of veterinary charges for examinations and ongoing treatments for pets in the realm of incremental care; pet guardians are expected to pay 20 percent of the charges. Families can enroll up to four pets; additional pets can not be added after enrollment has been completed. Individuals must be income eligible as evidenced by enrollment in public assistance, or have paid employment income defined as low income through the most current Statistics Canada Low Income Cut Off rates, plus 10 percent. Serves individuals in Abbotsford, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Maple Ridge, Penticton, Sechelt, Surrey, and Vancouver.