The purchase of a 38-acre property is promising a new leash on life for dogs and cats in need of a forever home.
A $2 million donation from the Craig Mearns and the Mearns Family Foundation has allowed the Victoria Humane Society to purchase the land on the West Shore for a new rescue adoption centre.
“This generous donation marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing mission to save and rehome animals in need across the Greater Victoria region,” Penny Stone, VHS executive director, said. “Without the ability to purchase this land, our dream of transforming animal rescue and adoption would not happen.”
“This is a small group doing great things with very little resources," Mearns said. "They needed a permanent place and I wanted to help with that. I believe what the Victoria Humane Society does for animals is worth investing in and the money stays here on the Island, it does not go to a head office somewhere.”
In May, VHS announced they were looking for a second property as they continue to face an unprecedented excess of dogs and cats as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To this day, VHS still faces the heartbreaking reality of turning away five to seven dogs that require urgent help. This is due to the lack of space to house these dogs while VHS assesses their behaviour and can match them with the right foster or adoptive homes. Many of these dogs need time to decompress, and some require rehabilitation and training before they can be placed in loving homes.
Aside from that, VHS frequently accepts transfers from remote communities, sometimes bringing in up to 70 animals at once.
While puppies, cats, and kittens can often go directly into foster care, older dogs are left behind due to potential behavioural issues that need to be assessed. These older dogs deserve a chance, and the new facility will enable VHS to provide them with the care and evaluation they need.
With the land already theirs, VHS is anxious to get the work started, designing and building the right facility.
The $2 million donation will cover the cost of the land, and the society is now launching the "Building Love" campaign to support construction of the facility, with the hope of accepting animals into the new facility by 2025.
Victoria Humane Society's current centre at 4217 Glanford Ave. will remain open for spaying and neutering services.
