For many people, pets are not just cute companions — they are lifelines. That’s the guiding principle behind Parachutes for Pets, which supports Calgarians in crisis who are temporarily unable to care for their pets.
Former law-enforcement officer Melissa David founded Parachutes out of her firm belief that nobody should have to choose between their own safety and their pet’s well-being. Moved in part by the emotional strength she gained from her own dog, Charlie, when she was diagnosed with cancer, David was driven to break barriers to pet companionship for others. She couldn’t fathom having to give up her dog when she most needed him.
So, in 2019, she started Parachutes for Pets, which provides short- and long-term safekeeping, a pet food bank, assistance with grooming, and emergency veterinary support for local pet owners facing hardship, whether it be illness, domestic abuse or homelessness. Parachutes employs nine staff and has around 100 volunteers every year.
Staffer Baylee Dorchester says the organization’s safekeeping program is “the step before a pet would be surrendered to a shelter by someone having a tough time.” While it might seem counterintuitive for an individual struggling to feed or shelter themselves to expend resources on their pet, Dorchester says that “these are often people for whom a pet is their entire family. If they lose their pet, they may not have anything left to care about.” Two facilities in southeast Calgary can each take in a few dozen pets until their humans are able to take them home.
Dorchester shares a story about an elderly man who was shot while walking his dogs. Without friends or family to turn to, he may have had to surrender or euthanize his pets during his six-week recovery. Thanks to Parachutes, he was able to heal in hospital knowing his dogs were taken care of. Not only that, volunteers also kept his spirits up by arranging for him to say hello to his dogs on FaceTime every day. That’s one heck of a helping paw.
Parachutes for Pets, a local non-profit, is dedicated to supporting vulnerable Calgarians temporarily unable to care for their animals due to crisis situations like domestic abuse, hospitalization, wildfire evacuation or homelessness. To volunteer or donate, visit parachutesforpets.com.
