Women’s shelters allowing pets in North America seems to be on the rise according to the Executive Director of the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan, Jo-Anne Dusel.  She says a movement a few years ago in the United States started with shelters allowing pets, since then she says in Canada many shelters have been allowing pets including one that recently opened in Ottawa.  Dusel says here in Saskatchewan one shelter in Swift Current experimented with allowing pets for a period of time but have since stopped as the process to making a shelter pet friendly comes with preparation such as making sure animals get along with each other, consideration for those who suffer from allergies and making sure other people staying at the shelter are okay with having pets around.  Even though shelters here in Saskatchewan don’t allow pets at the moment, Dusel says many shelters have connections with organizations such as the SPCA and Humane Society to help with fostering services.  Dusel adds to check with the local shelter to see what options they have when it comes to pets.