How your loving compassion as a Paw Partner
is rescuing and saving animals  Â
How your kindness gave Lucy the gift of sight
When nine-week-old Lucy arrived at the BC SPCA Victoria Animal Centre with her seven siblings, she was in trouble. All the kittens were battling a viral infection, but Lucy’s case was the most critical. Her tiny body was fighting feline herpesvirus and a parasite, and one of her eyes was so badly infected that surgery to remove it seemed likely.
She and her siblings were surrendered from a property in Victoria after their overwhelmed owner realized they could no longer provide the care these animals desperately needed. It was an act of love – choosing to reach out for help when things became too much.
From the moment she arrived, Lucy showed incredible resilience. She was rushed to a veterinary clinic where she began an intensive treatment plan that saw her receive an oral parasite and antiviral medication, antibiotics and soothing eye drops to help manage the intense pain. Her progress was monitored closely, with everyone hoping for signs of improvement, but knowing that her vision might be too far gone to save.
As the days passed, something wonderful happened – she began to respond to treatment.
At her most recent veterinary check-up, the news was better than anyone dared hope: her eye was healing beautifully, and surgery would not be needed. For a kitten who had faced such a daunting prognosis, this was an unexpected victory.
Even on her toughest days, Lucy’s gentle spirit shone through. She tolerated every treatment with patience and grace. When staff entered the room, Lucy and her siblings would softly call out, waddling over for a reassuring touch. As her strength returned, Lucy began to play, tentatively at first, then with growing confidence. Her personality is blossoming, and her bravery is inspiring everyone who meets her.
Lucy has since been adopted into a loving home in Victoria where she can enjoy the island views to her heart’s content.
Lucy’s journey reminds us why your care and compassion as a Paw Partner matters so deeply. Behind every rescue is a story of resilience, hope and the extraordinary bond between animals and the animal lovers like you who share your love with them each month and refuse to give up on them.
You can help even more animals in urgent need of your loving care today by sharing their stories.
Your love led Frank’s wobbly steps straight to his Forever Home
Frank is a one-of-a-kind pup with a wobbly walk and an even bigger heart. Living with a neurological condition and partial blindness that affects his balance and coordination, Frank faced challenges that made his journey special.
Frank’s wobble is unmistakable. Each step sends him rocking forward and back, like a little puppy learning to walk, his whole body bobbing with determination as he makes his way ahead. This hasn’t stopped him from running full speed to chase a ball – he just has to be more careful than most dogs!
During his time at the BC SPCA, Frank captured hearts with his gentle nature and joyful spirit. His condition meant he needed extra patience and care, but that never dimmed his enthusiasm for life. BC SPCA staff ensured he had everything to feel safe and comfortable, like soft bedding, enrichment activities, and plenty of love.
Frank’s wobbly steps didn’t slow him down. He explored his surroundings with curiosity, enjoyed car rides to the vet, and made friends along the way. His playful personality shone through in every bounce and hop (sometimes like a kangaroo!) bringing smiles to everyone who met him. For a dog who once faced uncertainty, every moment became a celebration of resilience.
However, after his initial assessment, his stay at the BC SPCA dragged on, with many wondering after a month if he would ever find a home that would appreciate his many adorable quirks. Finally, after more than 60 days (much longer than most), he found what every animal deserves: a home where his differences are celebrated and his spirit is cherished.
Frank’s story is more than a happy ending – it’s a powerful reminder of what Paw Partners like you can make possible. Because of kind people who believe every animal deserves a chance, dogs like Frank have a family by their side that appreciates their differences. This compassionate community of animal lovers chooses love every time, and that choice has given Frank a home where he can finally be himself.
Because you care, Paul went from hoarding to hope
Last year, many of you opened your hearts to Grace, a gentle Great Pyrenees whose story reminded us why animal protection matters so deeply. As the new year began, her pup, Paul, took his very first steps towards a loving future.
As you may recall, Grace had been used by an unscrupulous breeder and was found painfully thin, exhausted, and struggling to care for her litter, having given everything she had. Thanks to Paw Partners like you, the entire family was brought into the compassionate care of the BC SPCA. From the moment they arrived, staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to stabilize Grace and her puppies. They were lovingly bathed, fed nourishing meals, treated for parasites, and given warm, quiet spaces where they could finally rest. For the first time in their lives, they experienced gentle hands and soft voices. Day by day, their spirits began to lift.
Paul, once timid and unsure, quickly discovered his playful side. As his strength returned, his personality began to bloom, an irresistible blend of curiosity, sweetness, and boundless enthusiasm. After several weeks of dedicated care, Paul was healthy, confident, and ready for the next chapter. It wasn’t long before he was welcomed into a loving forever home.
Today, Paul is thriving. He has grown into a joyful, affectionate dog whose mischievous charm has become his signature trait. At his veterinary clinic, staff can’t help but smile when his name appears on the schedule – they know they’re about to be greeted by a whirlwind of tail wags. At home, he enjoys cozy naps, long walks, and the companionship of two cat siblings who dote on him.
For a puppy who began life in uncertainty, Paul’s days are now filled with comfort, connection, and love. His transformation is a powerful reminder of what your compassion makes possible. Animals like Paul find safety and second chances because of people who always choose kindness – people like you. Your compassion ensures that no animal has to face fear or hardship alone and that every story has the chance to become a joyful one.
Remember to call the Animal Helpline at 1.855.622.7722 if you find an animal in distress.
Your compassion for the tiniest lives gave Odette and Odile a safe haven – and a second chance
When two young rats, Odile and Odette, were found abandoned, their story wasn’t one of neglect – it was of heartbreak. They were healthy, well-socialized, and clearly used to gentle handling. Every hint about their past lives showed they had been cared for by an animal lover who loved them dearly.
Later, we learned the truth: their owner had lost access to pet-friendly housing and, with nowhere else to turn, felt forced to leave them behind… an all-too-common story in B.C. This growing lack of pet-inclusive housing pushes caring pet guardians into impossible situations, having to decide between their pets and their own basic needs. Out of fear, shame or desperation, some abandon their beloved pets rather than see them taken away or surrendered.
Odile and Odette were lucky. They came into BC SPCA care in good condition and found safety quickly. Their sweet, curious nature won over staff and volunteers right away. While they waited, they enjoyed enrichment and gentle handling to keep their minds active and their spirits bright.
Then came the moment everyone hoped for: Odile and Odette met the perfect person to continue their story.
Bella, a passionate rat enthusiast, welcomed them into a home designed for their happiness. She understood the complex needs of pet rats and even makes her own enrichment toys like cozy hammocks, tunnels, and climbing structures, creating a little paradise for curious noses and twitchy whiskers.
With the help of many animal lovers, today Odile and Odette are thriving. They climb, explore, and enjoy all the love and stimulation they deserve. Their story is a bittersweet reminder that pet-friendly housing is critical for thriving communities. Everyone deserves a safe home, including those with paws, claws, and tails.
Because of kind Paw Partners like you who believe every animal deserves a chance, Odile and Odette never have to face the world alone again.
Community Spotlight: Students make a big impact for animals
This year, the students and families of Queen of All Saints Elementary School in Coquitlam showed what happens when caring hearts are encouraged to act early. Through their SPCA Club, students spent the school year learning about animals, the work of the BC SPCA, and what it truly means to speak for animals. They explored animal welfare, responsible care, and the real-world changes their compassion will bring about, both for animals and for the welfare of their communities.
To bring that learning to life, the students organized a special Fair Day for their entire school. Led by their intense curiosity, they created interactive activities and displays that invited their peers to learn about, reflect, and feel empathy for animals in need. It was a powerful reminder that when young people are given the tools to make change, they rise to the occasion.
With the support of their school community and their sponsoring teacher, Ms. Chavez, the SPCA Club raised an incredible $2,560 for the Tri-Cities BC SPCA. Their compassion will help provide shelter, medical treatment, nutritious food, and gentle care for animals arriving frightened, injured, or alone. For those animals, compassion is not an abstract idea, it is an opportunity for warmth, safety, and a second chance.
The BC SPCA is especially grateful to the Grade 7 students who are moving on this year. Their leadership and example have inspired younger students who are already eager to join the SPCA Club in Grade 4, ensuring this legacy of kindness will continue.
Stories like this reflect the values you share with us. You believe that animals deserve care, that empathy matters and that a more humane future starts with education, community, and action.
Otterly Adorable – You lovingly helped two orphaned otters return to the wild
When two tiny otter pups lost their mothers last summer, their chances of survival were heartbreakingly slim. Alone and vulnerable, they faced a world they weren’t ready for. Thanks to the kindness of Paw Partners like you, their story didn’t end there.
Your compassion opened the doors of the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC), the only wildlife hospital on southern Vancouver Island. Here, expert staff work to keep wild animals truly wild. This means minimizing human contact, even during lifesaving care, so they can thrive once they return to life in the wild.
When these pups first arrived, they were so young they needed bottle-feeding four times a day. The Wild ARC staff worked tirelessly, wearing gowns, gloves, masks and full-face visors to prevent the pups from bonding with the humans that were looking after them, and from associating humans with food and safety. Instead, the two adorably bonded with each other, snuggling, playing and learning all the skills they’d need to survive in the wild in a controlled environment.
As the months passed, your kindness gave them everything they needed including specialized formula, fresh fish, a pool for swimming and an upgraded enclosure filled with enrichment opportunities. Slowly, they learned to feed themselves, hunt and explore, just as wild otters should.
These two remained at Wild ARC for months, practicing essential survival skills in a safe, controlled environment. In the spring came the moment you made possible: their release back to the wild. Confident and strong, they slipped into the water and swam off to begin their new lives – free, wild and home where they belong.
Thanks to your compassion as a dedicated animal lover, these two otters are now living their life in the wild with all of the skills they need to have fulfilling lives.
Together for animals: Joan’s legacy and yours
Joan Hafeez’s lifelong love of animals took root early, but it wasn’t until the mid-1990s when she walked into the BC SPCA’s Vancouver Animal Centre and met a fluffy collie named Maggie that her relationship with the organization truly began. Maggie became her shadow and constant companion, and through caring for her, Joan’s appreciation for rescue animals deepened. Over the years she continued to volunteer at her local Community Animal Centre and eventually adopted two cats, Stanley and Darcy, who quickly found their own space in her heart.
When Joan retired from her career as a Lab Technologist at the Cancer Control Agency, she moved to Gabriola Island and embraced a new chapter as a potter. Her work soon gathered a following, yet no matter how busy her studio became, she always reserved time for animals in need. At the BC SPCA Nanaimo, she was a familiar presence in the cat room, quietly offering comfort, cleaning kennels, and celebrating each adoption with genuine joy.
Her volunteer work made the prospect of a new shelter in Nanaimo deeply meaningful. When fundraising began for our current Westwood Road facility, Joan contributed without hesitation. She loved visiting the finished centre, taking pride in knowing she had helped create a brighter, calmer environment for animals awaiting their second chance.
Joan passed away in May 2024, leaving one final gift to the animals she cared for: a generous bequest to the BC SPCA. Part of her legacy was directed to the new Vancouver Island Animal Behaviour Centre (VIABC) in Cowichan, a major step forward for animal welfare on Vancouver Island. VIABC will open in spring 2026 and is designed for animals with complex needs who may need a longer stay. This new facility will feature enriching indoor and outdoor spaces, natural light, quiet zones, and separate areas for cats and dogs to reduce fear and stress.
For thousands of animals who will find safety, behavioural support, and hope at the VIABC, Joan’s compassion will live on.
Thank you! Your kindness as a Paw Partner helps humans and animals thrive together!
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