The Victoria Humane Society is in desperate need of foster homes after an influx of new animals in recent months.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e suddenly been hit really, really hard. In May alone we took in 185 animals and in June weB次元官网网址檙e looking at probably just over 200,B次元官网网址� said society executive director and Highlands resident Penny Stone. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 getting really heartbreaking when we have to turn animals away because we just donB次元官网网址檛 have fosters for them.B次元官网网址�

Stone said the society has doubled the amount of animals it has taken in compared to last year. Most recently, the society welcomed 76 animals last Saturday and another 54 on Tuesday B次元官网网址� about 75 per cent of which are cats and kittens, coming from Interior B.C. and up Island, as well as some from Regina as the humane society there is at capacity.

The society, which does not have a shelter and is completely foster based, currently has 55 foster homes which are full and are taking care of more than a dozen animals. Ideally, Stone would like to add another 20 to 30 foster homes to their roster so the society can match the animal to an appropriate home.

Depending on the animal and its needs, it could stay with foster homes for a couple of weeks or up to several months.

But being a foster home isnB次元官网网址檛 as easy as taking in the furry friends and cuddling with them, said Stone, noting a lot of work needs to be put into building a relationship with the animal first.

B次元官网网址淲ith a lot of these animals, itB次元官网网址檚 going to take weeks to see progress. These animals have already been through traumatic experiences and they need to go somewhere where people are going to take the time and be patient with them,B次元官网网址� said Stone, who currently has about 40 cats and kittens living at her home.

B次元官网网址淧eople need to know it will take time for animals to come around and to accept them and to trust them and they just need to be patient.B次元官网网址�

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Despite some challenges, Stone said being a foster home for an animal in need can be incredibly fulfilling.

B次元官网网址淭he reality is if youB次元官网网址檙e a foster home, youB次元官网网址檙e saving a life,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no better thing than being able to say today I saved a life. YouB次元官网网址檙e making a difference in an animalB次元官网网址檚 life.B次元官网网址�

Those interested in becoming a foster home can fill out the online application at

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kendra.wong@goldstreamgazette.com