The Victoria Humane Society in Victoria, B.C., is currently facing a crisis due to the overwhelming number of animals in need of their help. The executive director, Penny Stone, explains that the situation has become significantly worse since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people are unable to afford to keep their pets, leading to an increase in abandoned animals. The lack of spay and neuter programs in smaller communities has also contributed to the growing population of animals in need. The cost of living is driving up pet food prices, forcing people to make difficult decisions about their pets.
As a result of the high demand for their services, the Victoria Humane Society is now turning animals away for the first time in their history. They currently have a long waitlist of 45 dogs and even more cats. Stone emphasizes the importance of finding a larger facility to accommodate the growing number of animals in need. Ideally, they are looking for a property with some acreage where they can properly assess and rehabilitate animals before finding them new homes. Without a suitable facility, they are unable to take in animals that may require special care or isolation from other animals.
The shelter is urgently seeking a new facility to help alleviate the overcrowding and provide better care for the animals in need. Stone encourages anyone who knows of a property that meets their requirements to reach out to them. With the help of a generous donor who provided seed money, the Victoria Humane Society is looking to purchase a property that can accommodate their growing needs. Stone emphasizes that the decision to surrender a pet is often a difficult one for individuals who are facing financial hardships or lifestyle changes, and the shelter aims to offer a judgment-free environment for those in need of assistance.
The shelter’s current situation is a heartbreaking one, as they are unable to help all the animals that are brought to them for care. Stone acknowledges that many individuals who surrender their pets have no other choice due to financial constraints or changes in their circumstances. The shelter hopes to find a new facility soon so they can continue their work of rescuing and rehabilitating animals in need. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing animal welfare crisis, making it more important than ever to find a solution to accommodate the growing number of homeless pets in the community.
In conclusion, the Victoria Humane Society is facing a critical situation due to the overwhelming number of animals in need of their help. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the crisis, leading to an increase in abandoned pets and a lack of spay and neuter programs in smaller communities. The shelter is currently turning animals away for the first time in their history, emphasizing the urgent need for a larger facility to accommodate the growing number of animals in need. With the help of a generous donor, the Victoria Humane Society is seeking to purchase a new property that can provide better care and rehabilitation for the animals in their care. The shelter aims to offer a judgment-free environment for individuals facing difficult decisions about surrendering their pets, and they are hopeful that with the support of the public, they can continue their important work of rescuing and rehoming animals in need.
