Victoria Humane Society searching for new home after 'substantial' donation
A decade-old dream at the Victoria Humane Society (VHS) is closer to being realized thanks to a sizeable donation.
“We had an amazing donor who came forward and has donated a substantial amount of money, so it will allow us to purchase a property,” VHS executive director Penny Stone said.
The humane society isn’t sharing the exact amount of the donation or who it came from.
Since forming in 2013, the VHS has wanted to expand beyond its Saanich storefront.
“For 10 years, we’ve been looking for a space,” Stone said. “What we desperately need is a facility where we can take animals in, we can assess them, we can see what they’re like.”
The current facility on Glanford Avenue at Vanalman Avenue is used for spay and neuter clinics. Abandoned animals don’t stay there, instead staying with hundreds of foster families.
“To get them into the foster home, we need a place to bring them in to assess them, so we’re not putting them in the wrong foster home and setting them up for failure,” Stone said.
“Without that, unfortunately we’re having to say no to a lot of animals because we don’t know what they’re like.”
VHS volunteer Michelle Tinis with Mack, a nine-week old puppy. (CTV News)
VHS staff and volunteers are looking for a large property in the Greater Victoria area, where they can build a kennel and the neighbours won’t be too close. They’re hoping someone who owns or knows of an appropriate property will get in touch.
“(I’m) very excited for the future and the potential to help more animals,” VHS volunteer Michelle Tinis said.
“They’re coming in in batches of 50 or 60 animals per van [and] they’re coming in almost every month.”
One of those animals is Mack, an affectionate puppy who has undergone several surgeries.
“Mack says, ‘Please help us! Please help us find a property,’” Tinis said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.