Mission Statement
Pet and Animal Advocacy Care Team (PAACT) is dedicated to empowering pet owners, promoting responsible pet care, and fostering an inclusive community where both pets and people thrive. While we support owners in rehoming, when necessary, our efforts focus on a direct home-to-home approach to minimize shelter intake. By addressing challenges proactively and promoting sustainable pet ownership, we strive to prevent rehoming whenever possible and reduce shelter overpopulation. Through collaboration, transparency, and advocacy, we aim to bridge the gap in animal welfare to ensure every animal receives the care they deserve and every owner has the tools they need to succeed.
Our Objective
PAACT’s objective is to strengthen the human-animal bond by empowering pet owners with the tools, knowledge, and compassionate support they need to provide responsible, sustainable care. Through proactive intervention, direct rehoming support, and community-driven initiatives, we aim to prevent unnecessary shelter surrenders, reduce pet overpopulation, and promote animal welfare across Southern Alberta.
Why It Matters:
The Human-Animal Bond
The human-animal bond is a powerful force that supports emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Studies consistently show that pet companionship improves mental health, eases emotional stress, and fosters a sense of purpose—especially during difficult times.
According to HABRI and Zoetis (2023), 74% of pet owners report better mental health due to their pets, while 69% say their pets help them cope with emotional challenges. Secure bonds with animals are also linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety (Lass-Hennemann et al., 2022).
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This connection is especially impactful for older adults: 80% of seniors in one study felt their pet’s reduced loneliness and gave renewed purpose (Tkatch et al., 2020). Physically, pet interactions are proven to lower cortisol and blood pressure and even reduce cardiovascular mortality by 24% (NIH, 2019; American Heart Association, 2020).
Veterinary professionals agree—over 75%, cite the human-animal bond as a motivator for entering the field, and the majority acknowledge its scientifically validated health benefits (HABRI, 2022). Moreover, understanding this bond deepens owners’ commitment to their pets’ well-being.
At PAACT, this research drives our work. We recognize that while pet ownership brings immense joy, it also comes with challenges—emotional, financial, and behavioural. Many owners face these obstacles without sufficient support. By bridging these gaps, we help keep pets in homes where they are loved and strengthen communities by nurturing the vital bonds that connect us.
Who We Are
At PAACT, we are a passionate team of volunteers dedicated to strengthening the bond between pets and their owners. We believe every animal deserves a loving home, and every pet owner should have access to the resources, education, and support they need to thrive. As a community-centred organization, we strive to foster lasting relationships between pet owners and the resources they need. Our goal is to ensure that no pet owner feels alone in their journey by offering ongoing assistance and promoting a preventative approach to pet welfare.
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As of April 2025, PAACT officially became a registered nonprofit society, solidifying our commitment to creating a lasting positive imPAACT in our community. Our work is carried out through a range of community programs, including resource support, direct rehoming assistance, proactive crisis intervention, and grief support initiatives. Operating entirely on a volunteer basis, we focus solely on our mission of supporting animals and their families without generating income from our activities.
T – President & Founder
Known to the community as “T,” she is the driving force and compassionate heart behind PAACT. As president and founder, T brings a powerful blend of lived experience, professional insight, and unwavering compassion to her leadership. With a background in psychology, she is currently completing her master’s degree with the goal of becoming a registered psychologist. A path that aligns seamlessly with PAACT’s mission of compassion, healing, and human-animal connection.
T’s extensive background in animal welfare, particularly with complex medical and emotional pet cases, has been key in shaping PAACT’s grassroots. Her vision has transformed PAACT from a local initiative into a community-driven movement that continues to bridge the gap between animal care and human support. Her leadership is grounded in advocacy, education, and empowerment, ensuring every pet and person is met with dignity, understanding, and the resources they need to thrive.​
Carey – Community Advocate & Retention Support
(Medicine Hat Satellite Location)
Carey joins PAACT as a deeply compassionate and community-rooted advocate, bringing decades of hands-on experience in animal care and a heart firmly grounded in empathy & compassion. Based in Medicine Hat at our satellite location, Carey is leading the way as our first PAACT Advocate in the region—helping build bridges between people, pets, and the support systems that hold them together.
With a background in fostering for organizations like APARC, SPCA, RUFF Start Rescue, and CATF, Carey has worked closely with dogs and cats of all ages, including bottle babies and animals recovering from trauma. But what truly defines her role is her capacity to walk beside those navigating some of life’s hardest choices, offering understanding without judgment and supporting pet owners who are doing everything they can for the animals they love.
Driven by her own observations of how harshly society often treats those forced to consider rehoming a pet, Carey has committed herself to being part of a more humane and supportive solution. She understands that giving up a pet is not an act of failure, it is often an act of courage. Her passion lies in helping owners feel seen, heard, and respected, whether they need temporary care options, a safe path to rehoming, or simply someone to talk to.
What makes Carey indispensable is her unwavering belief that no one should feel ashamed for asking for help and that no pet should be left behind because their family hit hard times. Through her lived experience, honest advocacy, and community-building spirit, she brings PAACT’s values & mission to life.
Sam – Vice President
As vice president of PAACT, Sam brings a deep passion and commitment to animal welfare, grounded in both lived experience and a strong, hands-on approach. With an extensive background in pet care, rescue volunteering, and canine behaviour, he offers a well-rounded foundation of knowledge and practical expertise that strengthens PAACT’s mission and leadership.
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Sam has contributed to a wide range of organizations, including Prairie Pets, Last Chance Cat Ranch, and the Canadian Animal Task Force. He also runs his own pet care business, where he continues to promote compassionate, individualized care for animals. His dedication to lifelong learning is evident in his work with positive reinforcement training and his active role in developing initiatives that help keep pets with their families, especially during times of crisis or transition.
Sam’s leadership helps ensure that every effort reflects PAACT’s core mission: supporting pets and their people through accessible services, meaningful education, and community-based solutions.
Alyssa – Education Facilitator​
Alyssa is a new, dedicated, and deeply empathetic member of PAACT, bringing together years of lived experience, academic training, and hands-on involvement in animal welfare and community advocacy. With a bachelor’s degree in Community Rehabilitation & Disability Studies, Alyssa holds a comprehensive understanding of systemic challenges such as poverty, housing instability, and chronic illness; these insights greatly inform her compassionate and inclusive approach to animal care and public education.
Her journey in animal advocacy began in childhood and has grown into a lifelong passion. From fostering pregnant stray cats and exotic animals to supporting families with missing or reactive pets, Alyssa has remained a steady, resourceful presence through countless challenging circumstances.
At PAACT, Alyssa will focus on educational outreach, grief support, and public engagement. She will play an active role in developing accessible content and community-facing resources that reflect the realities people face when caring for animals in times of crisis or transition. Her studies and lived experience with pet loss have also inspired her commitment to grief education and future training in pet bereavement support.
Above all, Alyssa leads with gentleness, clarity, and conviction. She believes in meeting people where they are and affirms that the human-animal bond is not just precious, it is transformational. Her voice will guide PAACT’s outreach efforts and help build a more informed, connected, and compassionate community.
