The animal housing project began when veterinarian Dr. Michelle Lem approached IHO with the idea. "Providing emergency sheltering of pets with their families will save the lives of both women and their animal companions," said Lem, CVO Director and founding partner. "The Link between animal abuse and intimate partner violence is well established, as well as the harmful effects on children who witness animal abuse."
While IHO has been serving women and their dependents since 1976, CVO brings expertise in animal housing and hygiene requirements, animal and public health policies and procedures, and a connection to local veterinary care.
Dr. Michelle Lem is a 2001 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), and the founder of Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO), a registered charity that improves the health of homeless individuals and their pets through a "One Health" model of care. By offering human health services and health education alongside preventative veterinary care, CVO provides innovative access to both veterinary and human health care for at-risk populations across Canada.