For eight years, James Caughill and his dogs have walked thousands of kilometers across Canada to highlight the shortage of homeless shelters that accept pets. Caughill’s journey began in 2016 after he became homeless when a rental scam left him without savings and unable to find shelter that allowed his dog. Despite efforts to find a shelter from coast to coast, he was unsuccessful. This led him to embark on a cross-country walk from St. Catharines to Vancouver to raise awareness about the plight of homeless individuals with pets. Caughill’s original dog, Muckwah, passed away from cancer, but he continued his mission with a new dog named Muck. Currently, Caughill is on Montreal’s South Shore, heading toward St. John’s, while also fundraising to establish a pet-friendly shelter.
In Montreal, some shelters have started accepting pets, though challenges remain. David Chapman, executive director of Resilience Montreal, notes the tension between liability and humanity, suggesting that while there are risks associated with allowing pets, the benefits of providing companionship are significant. Recent initiatives include a pet-friendly shelter at the old Royal Victoria Hospital and another at Hôtel-Dieu during the pandemic. Though over 300 shelters in Canada now accommodate pets, Caughill remains committed to his cause, emphasizing the crucial role of pet companionship in combating loneliness and providing emotional support.
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