VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 BCSPCA caps a successful year with their Home for the Holidays campaign.

Each year, the BC SPCA reaches out to its volunteers for help fostering animals during the holiday season. B次元官网网址淚t means that our staff, who have been working very hard all year, get a well-deserved break,B次元官网网址� said Emma Hamill, manager of the Victoria animal centre.

The branch keeps staff on-site throughout the holidays to care for more vulnerable animals, but the program helps transition animals from shelter life to home life. B次元官网网址淎ll animals, at the end of the day, want something thatB次元官网网址檚 a home environment,B次元官网网址� said Hamill. B次元官网网址淲e try our best to make it as comfortable as possible and give them as much attention as we can. But nothing beats the comfort of being in a home with one-on-one attention.B次元官网网址�

This year, 30 animals were taken into foster care by volunteers over the holidays. Meanwhile, four dogs remain in care at the centre, along with other vulnerable animals or those in protective care.

The holidays are a busy time for the BC SPCA, as many people consider adding a new member to their family during the season. However, the organization urges prospective adopters to remember that adopting an animal is a big responsibility B次元官网网址� not just a holiday gift.

B次元官网网址淒uring the holidays, we try to push people in the direction of seeing pets as family members, rather than gifts you give on Christmas,B次元官网网址� said Hamill. B次元官网网址淲e want to ensure itB次元官网网址檚 done responsibly, so people are aware of the commitments and responsibilities that come with owning a pet.B次元官网网址� Hamill said itB次元官网网址檚 not common for the BC SPCA to encounter people looking to adopt a pet solely as a gift, but itB次元官网网址檚 something they remain vigilant about.

The Home for the Holidays program caps a successful year for the Victoria BC SPCA, which saw 600 vulnerable animals adopted, more than 40 animals emergency-boarded, 300 spayed and neutered, and 5,000 meals provided to animals in need. The branch also brought in 140 new volunteers this year, retaining about 200 over a longer term.

The influx of volunteers was a major factor in the branchB次元官网网址檚 success this year. B次元官网网址淭he number of volunteers we brought in this year has been a bit of a record,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hat might be a direct link to us being able to foster most of our small animals and cats during this holiday season, so they get that enrichment.B次元官网网址�

Looking ahead, the Victoria BC SPCA will focus on work outside of their shelters in 2025. B次元官网网址淢oving into 2025, the BC SPCA in general will be looking at more community service and helping people avoid situations where their animals need to come into a shelter,B次元官网网址� said Hamill.

B次元官网网址淚 hope we can help more animals and keep families together.B次元官网网址�