This article was created for Victoria Foundation, and produced independently by Capital Daily. It was approved by Victoria Foundation before it was published.

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Penny Stone vividly remembers a late night phone call she received a few years ago—a distressed woman on the other line was informing her she had a puppy in need of serious help. 

The puppy, an eight-month-old Australian Shepherd named Rebound, had just suffered severe burns from boiling water that was poured on his back. Quickly assessing the situation, Stone instructed the woman to meet her at an emergency hospital with Rebound knowing his life would be in danger without immediate medical attention. 

“He suffered horribly,” said Stone, who later took Rebound into her care. “We had to change his bandages every day for eight months in order for him to get better.”

Rebound is one of thousands of dogs each year that get taken in by the Victoria Humane Society, a small, non-profit group committed to finding homes for animals in need.

Led by executive director Penny Stone, a passionate animal advocate, and a dedicated group of volunteers, the Society provides stray animals shelter, food and medical assistance to eventually relocate them to permanent, loving new homes. From heroic acts of rescue to conducting spay and neuter clinics in remote communities, the organization is involved with animal welfare at many levels both in the Victoria region and across the province. 

The Victoria Humane Society accepts anywhere between 1,300 to 1,500 new dogs and cats each year who have either been abandoned, mistreated or can no longer be cared for by their owners. Through a unique network of volunteers and foster homes, they’re placed with qualified and compassionate individuals before transitioning to new homes, providing adopting families with insight into each animal’s unique personality and suitability for their home. 

“We save lives every day,” said Stone, whose voice could be heard alongside the 40 new puppies she had recently taken into her home. “It sounds like such a throw-away line right? But the reality is that animals die every day, and we often know for sure that they will if we don’t take them into our care.”

While reluctance to adopt from the Humane Society as opposed to a breeder is understandable for those weary of a rescue’s dark or unknown past, the Society does everything it can in order to match potential owners with the best possible pet—one that will thrive in their household, considering important elements such as other pets, children, space and general lifestyle.

Not to mention that each adoption results in an abandoned pet finding a loving home, opening up a new space for the next dog or cat in need. “You’re not buying something at the store. You’re saving a life,” Stone emphasized. 

With overwhelming numbers of new pets accepted into the shelter each month, space is precious. Thanks to donations, the Society has recently acquired a new 38-acre property in Metchosin which will not only open up more spots for new animals, but give them additional medical and emotional support while waiting for potential fosters and adopting parents. With more donations, they hope to develop the property’s infrastructure to create a fully functioning medical centre that will provide support on an even higher level. 

The Victoria Humane Society depends entirely on donations to fund its work. Proceeds go directly to spay and neuter clinics (especially in remote communities that lack such medical facilities), education and medical care, and any other support that will give the animals a better chance at adoption. 

Rebound, now a healthy, fully grown dog, lives in Bamberton with his loving new owner. The two of them can be seen on long walks exploring their local park, while Rebound dutifully checks that the gates of their house open and close properly each time they go out. Nowadays, said Stone, he has the most amazing life. 

Stories like Rebound’s can continue to become a reality through the unwavering work done by the Society, as well as anyone who offers their help through donations or adoptions. You can find more information about the Victoria Human Society here, as well as information on adopting animals here.