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Purple Leash Project

Q: How much funding can be received?

Purple Leash Project Funds up to $23,850 of admissible expenses.

Q: Who is eligible for the Purple Leash Project program?

To be eligible for the Purple Leash Project program, you must: Canadian VAW shelter/transition house Provides 24/7 residential services Allows pets or has concrete plans to

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Purple Leash Project?

You can contact Women's Shelters Canada (EndVAW).

Q: Where is the Purple Leash Project available?

The Purple Leash Project program is available across Canada.

Q: Is the Purple Leash Project a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Purple Leash Project is a Grant and Funding

Last Update: February 12, 2026

Canada

Supports shelters to build pet-inclusive residential spaces

Grant and Funding

Women's Shelters Canada

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

No objectives are currently available

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 23,850 $
Minimum amount : 4,500 $

Timeline

Unspecified

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

Health care and social assistance

Location

Canada

Legal structures

Non-profit
Public or Parapublic institution

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

2SLGBTQI+
Women

Non-profit candidates

Sector of operation

All industries

Target groups

All the groups

Revenue structures

All structures

Scope

All dimensions

Overview

Provides up to $23,850 to Canadian violence against women shelters and transition houses to create safe, pet-inclusive spaces. Funding supports spatial design changes such as converting existing areas, building new co-sheltering spaces with individual pet rooms, and developing pet-friendly communal housing.

Activities funded

Removing barriers to co-shelter survivors and their pets through thoughtful spatial design in shelter facilities.
Converting existing shelter spaces to accommodate pets on-site.
Constructing new shelter spaces, including co-sheltering with individual pet rooms.
Developing pet-friendly communal housing within shelters/transition houses.

Eligibility

Operate a violence against women (VAW) shelter/transition house in Canada.
Primary mandate is to provide 24/7 residential services for people fleeing domestic violence (women, children, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and/or gender non-binary people).
Be in good financial standing.
Currently allow clients’ pets on-site, or have concrete plans to allow pets on-site.

Who is eligible?

Violence against women (VAW) shelters in Canada
Transition houses in Canada providing 24/7 residential services to people fleeing domestic violence

Who is not eligible

Organizations whose primary mandate is not to provide 24/7 residential services in a shelter/transition house
Shelters that are not in good financial health

Eligible expenses

Shelter facility upgrades to become more pet-friendly through spatial design (e.g., conversion of existing spaces or construction of new spaces).
Essential pet supplies and equipment to enhance pet-friendly shelter spaces (e.g., washing stations, beds, litter boxes, cages, ramps).

Ineligible Costs and Activities

Veterinary bills
Salaries
Pet clothing

Eligible geographic areas

Canada (nationwide)

How to apply

Verify eligibility

Confirm your organization operates a Canadian violence against women (VAW) shelter/transition house providing 24/7 residential services
Ensure you are in good financial standing
Confirm you currently allow pets on-site or have concrete plans to allow pets on-site

Retrieve application invitation

Locate the email invitation sent by Women’s Shelters Canada
Check your junk mail for an email from Women’s Shelters Canada if you did not receive it
Contact Women’s Shelters Canada if you still cannot find the invitation

Select grant stream

Determine whether you are applying as a shelter that currently allows pets ($4,500) or does not currently allow pets ($23,850)
Confirm your project aims to make the shelter/transition house more pet-friendly through spatial design

Define eligible project costs

Identify eligible improvements (e.g., converting existing spaces, constructing new co-sheltering spaces with individual pet rooms, or pet-friendly communal housing)
Ensure requested expenses exclude veterinary bills, salaries, and pet clothing

Review guidance materials

Review the Purple Leash Grant FAQ document
Consult the listed planning resources as needed (some sources are American)

Submit application

Complete the application using the invitation provided by Women’s Shelters Canada
Submit your application before Sunday, February 8 at 11:59 PT

Additional information

Invitations are sent by email to VAW shelter and transition house organizations across Canada.
Applicants are encouraged to review the program FAQ and planning resources (some sources are American).
"Pet" refers to companion animals (e.g., cats, dogs, caged rabbits) and excludes hoofed, farm, and livestock animals.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Purple Leash Project Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Purple Leash Project. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.