Open
Purple Leash Project
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Canada
Supports shelters to build pet-inclusive residential spaces
Grant and Funding
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.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- No objectives are currently available
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 23,850 $
- Minimum amount : 4,500 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
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
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
1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
Review guidance materials
- Review the Purple Leash Grant FAQ document
- Consult the listed planning resources as needed (some sources are American)
6
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.
