Vancouver supportive housing launches renters pet program

A supportive housing program dedicated to its furriest tenants has a new pet coordinator. Atira Women’s Resource Society says it’s a first-of-its kind position in Vancouver, to help with everything from basic training and supplies to grooming and veterinary care.

Harlow is one of Atira’s four-legged tenants, and has been recovering from a nasty fall which almost cost the dog her leg. The three-year-old dog landed on a mirror in their building, injuring Harlow’s leg. Sydney Lepper, Harlow’s owner, rushed her in for emergency care.

“It was $2,000, and I literally used my whole entire cheque – I had dumped all my rent money. I had that mentality where I was like my place or my dog and obviously my dog came first to me,” Lepper said.

But the bills didn’t end there, Harlow’s aftercare was also expensive as she needed antibiotics and bandages changed regularly.

Jesse Smith became Atira’s new pet coordinator in October, and changed Harlow’s bandages twice of week. She says the biggest barrier for people is vet care, and she’s often working to connect pet owners with programs at the Vancouver Humane Society and Community Vet Outreach.

“People are really good at taking care of their own pets, but sometimes it’s hard to access services that are already available within the community. Sometimes paperwork is hard, sometimes having internet connection or a phone is hard. So it really just helps to have that support worker that’s connecting those bridges for people,”  Smith said.

The program is paid for entirely through Atira donations.

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Sydney says Harlow came to her at the perfect time. She was on a waitlist for a husky rescue group and had just left a home where a roommate recently overdosed.

“Because of what I saw and what I had to go through, she came like literally not even a week after. She came at that time where it was absolutely most needed,” Lepper said.

And it seems Sydney is a good match for Harlow too – the rescue wanted someone to help with Harlow’s separation anxiety.

“A lot of the pets out here have really great lives, like how often do you get to see pets with their owners during the majority of the day?” Smith said. “Dogs that get to be going out for walks, living that active lifestyle. I think there’s a huge misconception about income levels at pet care.”